JENNIE from girl group BLACKPINK has been slammed for allegedly smoking an e-cigarette indoors in front of staff.
A short video titled “Jennie Smoking Indoors” began circulating on social media and various online communities on Monday. In the video, JENNIE was seen holding a black object to her mouth and exhaling what appears to be smoke while applying makeup.
Netizens speculated that the object JENNIE was holding was an e-cigarette and that the smoke was tobacco smoke. JENNIE was smoking near the makeup artist’s face.
This scene was part of a vlog called “A Moment in Capri with Jennie“, uploaded to JENNIE’s YouTube channel, “Jennierubyjane Official”, last Tuesday. The scene has since been removed from the video.
According to the National Health Promotion Law, office buildings, factories and complex buildings with a total area of at least 1,000 square meters or more are designated as non-smoking areas. Smoking inside these buildings can result in a fine of up to 100,000 won (70 euros).
Some netizens defended JENNIE, saying that smoking is a personal freedom and that the controversy is an overreaction stemming from discrimination against smokers. They also argued that since the scene was likely filmed on the island of Capri in Italy, smoking indoors was not a legal issue.
Some responded by saying it was inappropriate to smoke in front of other people, regardless of location. Comments on online communities included: “Blowing smoke in staff’s faces is rude“, “Can’t she wait until the makeup is finished?“, “What is she doing in an enclosed space?” and “Why can’t staff, whose livelihoods depend on it, raise their voices?”
A netizen claimed to have reported to the Korean Embassy in Italy that JENNIE was smoking inside, calling for strict sanctions.
Other personalities like D.O., actor and member of the group EXO, was fined after being reported for smoking an electronic cigarette in a waiting room of MBC’s “Show! Music Core”. last year. Actor Ji Chang Wook also apologized after he was shown smoking indoors in a making-of video for JTBC drama “Welcome to Samdal-ri.”
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Chaîne YouTube JENNIE, online community
