Jennie Kim from the K-pop group Blackpink has issued an apology following a controversy sparked by a video showing her vaping indoors. The footage, which appeared on her personal YouTube channel, showed her using a vape while receiving hair and makeup services, with stylists working close to her. Although the video was removed from Kim’s channel, clips of the incident circulated widely online.
The reaction among her fans was swift, with many expressing their disappointment on social media about her decision to vape in close proximity to others in an enclosed space.
However, some fans defended her, pointing out that vaping is a personal choice.
Kim’s own fashion label, Odd Atelier, which she founded last November, released her apology on the platform X. The statement acknowledged her regret for the indoor vaping and the inconvenience it caused to her team. She also extended a personal apology to the staff present during the incident. Odd Atelier expressed regret to the fans let down by the event and assured measures to avoid such issues in the future.
The scrutiny of K-pop celebrities is intense, as demonstrated by other incidents. For instance, in March, singer Karina faced backlash for revealing her relationship with actor Lee Jae-wook, leading to extreme fan reactions, including a protest truck outside her agency’s office. The relationship ended five weeks later, under the intense public pressure.
