Premiering in early June 2023, The Idol drew attention with its star-studded cast, including The Weeknd, Jennie (of BLACKPINK), and Troye Sivan. However, the series quickly became the focus of criticism due to its sensational plot, explicit scenes, and content that degrades women.
Many opinions suggest that The Idol is a misstep for Jennie, tarnishing the pure image of the female idol. The foreign script, with its bold sexual content, does not align with Asian audiences and could impact her future career development.
Recently, the French Newspaper Toriné shared stories about Jennie and The Idol. The article is as follows:
“Almost a year has passed since Jennie confirmed her role in the 18+ film ‘The Idol,’ a decision that has sparked considerable public interest and marked an indelible milestone in Kim Jennie’s career.
Through this film, Jennie has been able to further prove herself and live in the way she has long desired. But why did it take so long? The answer lies in the limitations imposed by her idol image, which had restrained Jennie’s true nature. The strict standards of being an idol forced her to hold back, and only when she stepped onto the global stage did she show the world her desire to be herself within the music industry.
Jennie has surpassed the traditional standards of a female idol, expressing her true self through her performance in the film, with a level of authenticity akin to that of a seasoned actor, as if her deepest wish had come true.
The media in Asia and Europe have split into two distinct perspectives on the ‘real’ Jennie showcased in ‘The Idol.’ The Asian media, including her homeland of South Korea, followed by China and Southeast Asia, have strongly condemned and criticized Jennie for participating in this film, arguing that it has tarnished the artistic image BLACKPINK has built and promoted. Jennie is seen as the instigator and the precursor for her fellow member Lisa’s involvement in ‘Crazy House’ later on, leading to a loss of goodwill among Asian audiences. This has particularly affected the group’s image, which Jisoo and Rosé have spent their entire clean careers building, only to have it damaged by the duo of Jennie and Lisa, with Jennie ‘paving the way’ and creating a stain that is difficult to erase.
On the other hand, European media have taken a more liberal view, hailing Jennie as a ‘living saint,’ allowing her to express her true self more boldly and revealing an inherent artistic depth within Jennie.”
