Is BLACKPINK Member Jennie Experiencing Discrimination in South Korea?

In October, Jennie from BLACKPINK made a significant return to the music scene with her new English single “Mantra.”This release solidified her reputation as Korea’s “No.1 It Girl,”as the track swiftly climbed to the top of multiple music charts, both in Korea and worldwide. Unlike her fellow member Lisa, who primarily targets the global market, Jennie is actively promoting her music in both domestic and international spheres.

In Korea, “Mantra,”although sung in English, has performed exceptionally well. It currently sits just behind Rosé on the iChart and has maintained a spot in the top 5 on MelOn for a fortnight after its debut. Furthermore, Jennie claimed her first music show trophy for “Mantra”on M! Countdown. However, the song’s journey has not been without its hurdles, including a ban from KBS broadcasts due to a controversial word in its lyrics. Additionally, the song received a 19+ rating, preventing Jennie from securing regular weekly wins.

On October 21, outrage erupted within Jennie’s fan community when Music Core announced they would count no points for “Mantra”due to the song’s 19+ rating. Consequently, this led to the exclusion of “Mantra”from the top 3 contenders for the weekly trophy, igniting frustration among fans.

Many fans voiced their disappointment after investing significant effort in voting, only to see their favored song disqualified, undermining their dedication. Jennie’s performance on Music Core further fueled their belief that the verdict was unjust.

Fans have raised concerns regarding perceived discrimination, noting that “Mantra”faced penalties for one sensitive lyric, while AB6IX’s track “NVKED,”which features both an explicit title and suggestive content, escaped similar scrutiny. They argue that this disparity exemplifies gender inequality, as female idols appear to be subjected to stricter standards in the Korean music industry.

The ban on KBS stemmed from a reference to the brand “In-N-Out”within the song’s lyrics, which fell afoul of broadcasting regulations, thus hindering Jennie’s promotional activities on the network’s Music Bank.

However, KBS clarified that this ban is not eternal, and the song may be eligible for airing again if the disputed sections are altered or eliminated. This incident is not unprecedented; Jennie has previously faced similar issues with global hits from BLACKPINK, such as “Kill This Love,””Pink Venom,”and “Shut Down,”all of which were similarly banned.

International fans have labeled the ban as “ridiculous”and excessively strict. Conversely, many Korean viewers stress the importance of upholding legal standards, pointing out that national broadcasters typically prohibit blatant brand promotions within their programming.

Source: K14

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