Premiering in June 2023, The Idol gained notoriety for its star-studded lineup, featuring renowned artists such as The Weeknd, Jennie (of BLACKPINK), and Troye Sivan. Despite its initial buzz, the show faced heavy backlash for its sensational storyline, graphic scenes, and portrayal of women in a degrading manner.
Despite differing opinions, it is widely believed that The Idol has been a misstep for Jennie, potentially damaging her previously pure image as a female idol. The explicit foreign script may not resonate with Asian audiences and could have consequences for her future career growth.
Toriné, a French newspaper, recently published an article featuring stories about Jennie and The Idol.
It has been nearly a year since Jennie announced her involvement in the 18+ film ‘The Idol.’ This decision has generated significant public attention and served as a significant milestone in Kim Jennie’s career.
Despite facing the constraints of her idol image, Jennie was able to truly showcase her talents and fulfill her desire to live authentically through this film. However, the question remains: why did it take so long for her to do so? The answer lies in the strict standards imposed on idols, which had hindered Jennie’s ability to fully express herself. Only when she stepped onto the global stage was she able to break free from these limitations and reveal her true self within the music industry.
Jennie has exceeded the conventional expectations placed on female idols by showcasing her genuine self in her film performance. Her authenticity rivals that of an experienced actor, as if her greatest desire has been realized.
In both Asia and Europe, there are two distinct perspectives on the portrayal of ‘real’ Jennie in ‘The Idol.’ While the Asian media, including her home country of South Korea as well as China and Southeast Asia, have heavily criticized and condemned Jennie for her involvement in the film, arguing that it has tarnished BLACKPINK’s carefully crafted and promoted artistic image. Jennie is viewed as the catalyst for her fellow member Lisa’s participation in ‘Crazy House,’ resulting in a loss of trust from Asian audiences. This has greatly impacted the group’s reputation, which Jisoo and Rosé have worked tirelessly to establish, only to have it marred by the actions of Jennie and Lisa, with Jennie being the main contributor
Similarly, European media has adopted a more liberal perspective, praising Jennie as a ‘living saint’ and giving her the freedom to boldly express her true self, unveiling a natural artistic depth within her.
Leave a Reply