Article: Blackpink Jennie, "Reflecting on smoking indoors... apologizing directly to staff"
Source: Maeil Kyungjae
Koreans are questioning whether Blackpink Jennie can truly reflect after indoor smoking scandal.
On the 9th, Jennie's one-person agency OA Entertainment released a statement apologizing for her actions writing, "We sincerely apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable with Jennie's behavior on the content released. Jennie is also reflecting on smoking indoors and the damage it caused to other staff members and has directly contacted staff who were there at the time and apologized. We apologize to fans who felt disappointed and we will repay you with a more mature and better image in the future."
A netizen, who identified herself as a Blackpink fan, revealed she has filed a report with Korean Embassy in Italy to have Jennie investigated and punished for the indoor smoking incident.
According to local Italian law, an indoor smoking ban has been in effect since January 2005. If you're caught smoking in an indoor public place, you'll be fined up to 250 euros (~ 370,000 won) per cigarette. In Korea, per Article 9, Paragraph 4, Item 16 of the National Health Promotion Act, all office buildings, factories, and mixed-use buildings with a total floor area of 1,000㎡ or more are designated as non-smoking zones. Smoking indoors in a non-smoking area will result in a fine of up to 100,000 won.
Recently, there has been a slew of celebrities embroiled in controversy over indoor smoking. Idols to include NCT Haechan, EXO D.O, actor Ji Chang-wook and singer Lim Young-woong have also been criticized for such controversies, In particular, fans and the public could not hide their disappointment over Jennie, a member of the representative K-pop girl group Blackpink, being caught smoking indoors.
Jennie recently established her own agency Odd Atelier and is currently pursuing solo activities.
- [+1,183, -14] This is actually quite ridiculous if you think about it. You have someone in front of you applying makeup and you couldn't wait for one second to smoke? Any normal person with sense waits until they can go outside to a secluded area to smoke freely? But she blew smoke directly in someone's face.. this is quite shocking? Any normal person wouldn't do that even to their close family or friends.. this shows she's not a humble person and has sh*t character.
- [+589, -148] Reminds me of an infamous anecdote in 2014 when Jae-myeong was caught smoking in a restaurant and someone awkwardly asked.. "Mayor, you shouldn't be smoking here?" Jae Myeong laughed and said, "I'm the tax collector, who gives a sh**? Why can't I smoke here..?" He acted like a king above the law and kept on smoking. I bet if staff asked her, Jennie said, "I'm the one paying your salary, who gives a sh**.. " Her and Jae-myeong deserve all the punishments.
- [+497, -7] Her image is completely ruined..
- [+330, -8] ㅎㅎㅎThis isn't something that can be fixed with reflecting. This is who she is and it's clear she does this often. This is proof there's nothing going on in her brains. She acts so innocent on TV but her character and basics are rottenㅎㅎㅎ
- [+118, -15] Since it's a crime to smoke indoors.. a sincere apology should be followed up with 'payment'.. make sure to pay up the fine...ㅋㅋ
- [+110, -0] This is an incredibly senseless and personally humiliating act.. those staff members are also someone's precious kids and family members when they go home.. how could she blow smoke in their faces like that? This isn't something a human would do?
- [+67, -0] She has always been trash.. and never been a luxurious idol
- [+50, -0] An apology doesn't change her character!
- [+12, -0] She's putting up a show.. smoking indoors? She's finished! What reflection.. she's just going to keep doing what she's been doing.. that's how she's always been the entire time.
- [+9, -0] Makes you wonder what she's really like when the cameras are off..