HBO’s The Idol is currently stirring up controversy due to its graphic s*x scenes and explicit dialogue.
The series, co-created by Euphoria’s Sam Levinson and pop star The Weeknd (born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye), has shocked viewers and been called ‘misogynistic’ by some mainstream TV critics.
Taking the brunt of the backlash is Korean pop star Jennie Kim, best known for being a member of the chart-topping K-pop group BLACKPINK.
Despite playing a small supporting role as backup dancer Dyanne, the 27-year-old has been lambasted in her conservative home country of South Korea, where it’s still unheard of for a mainstream pop idol to appear in a s.e.xual acting role.
Others have said that The Idol has tarnished her classy image, which she built by becoming the global face of prestigious brands like Chanel.
One Korean article, which was translated into English by Daily Naver, wrote: ‘Jennie, who usually had an elegant image, disappeared without a trace, even though she also served as an ambassador for a luxury brand.’
Korean fans have been just as shocked, with one writing: ‘In one instant, she has torn apart everything Blackpink has built with her own hands.’
Another commented: ‘Even re-watching that scene again, I still can’t believe that she chose to do that dance with those gestures and facial expressions too.’
‘This is the first time I’ve seen an idol in such a dirty drama performing with that level of acting, that’s why it’s shocking and embarrassing. She’ll never be able to recover from this, her image is in the gutter now,’ raged another.
The pop star is also facing pushback from K-pop fans everywhere after she walked off stage in the middle of Blackpink’s concert in Melbourne.
The girl group were performing a sold-out concert at Rod Laver Arena as part of their Born Pink World Tour when the 27-year-old strolled off stage in the middle of the group’s hit single, Lovesick Girls.
‘It seems that we will be proceeding with the rest of the show without Jennie,’ her bandmate Roseanne Park, known as Rosé, told the audience.
‘However, we will try our best to fill the stage up for you guys and give you the best night. In the meantime, our hearts will be with Jennie, supporting her.’
Rosé had earlier told fans that Jennie had skipped the band’s soundcheck that afternoon as she was ‘not feeling too well today’.
The group’s management team, YG entertainment, told news.com.au that Jennie had been ‘unable to complete the stage due to her deteriorating condition’ and is now recovering.’
Despite the explanation, hundreds of disgruntled K-pop fans have taken to Jennie’s social media pages to leave negative comments.
‘You don’t like the job as a idol anymore. It’s not the first time that you didn’t perform as hard as you can at the concert. You don’t respect the stage and your fans,’ wrote one.
‘If you’re too lazy to dance you don’t need to do that, you really make your fans very disappointed,’ wrote another.
Despite the backlash, many of the star’s loyal fans have also started to rally around her.
‘Forget the haters, they’re jealous of you. We love you, take care of your health!’ wrote one.
‘Haters don’t really hate you. In fact, they hate themselves, because you’re a reflection of what they wish to be,’ wrote another.
Jennie’s role in The Idol has also received a warm reception from American critics, with many calling her the highlight of the series.
‘There’s One Good Reason to Watch The Idol, and Her Name Is Jennie,’ reads a gushing headline from Glamour magazine.
‘The Idol is bad, but Blackpink’s Jennie isn’t,’ gushed High Snob Society.
There are even rumours swirling that Jennie could star in an upcoming Marvel film, although her agency has clarified that no formal offer has been made yet.
Meanwhile, BLACKPINK will wrap up the Australian leg of their tour on June 17, and will then head to France before hitting North America for their final shows.
