BLACKPINK Jennie Regrets Vaping Incident After Video Sparks Backlash Among BLINKs, Issues Apology

BLACKPINK's idol Jennie has recently admitted to smoking indoors after a video of her allegedly vaping went viral on social media. Reacting to this incident, the SOLO rapper also issued an official apology through her agency, ODD ATELIER. They issued a statement and apologised to BLINKs for Jennie's actions.

OA Entertainment issues apology over Jennie's viral video

The statement issued by the agency representing the BLACKPINK star read, "Hello. This is OA Entertainment. We sincerely apologize to everyone who felt uncomfortable with Jennie’s actions in the content released on the 2nd."

They agency added on her behalf, "Jennie acknowledges and deeply regrets her mistake of vaping indoors and causing inconvenience to the staff. Jennie has personally apologized to all the staff on-site who may have been affected. We apologize to her fans who have been disappointed through this incident. We hope to prevent this from reoccurring in the future. Thank you."

Details of Jennie's viral vaping video

The controversy started when a YouTube vlog clip of Jennie smoking indoors was posted on July 2, 2023, showing her vaping while staff attended to her hair and makeup. Although the video has now been deleted and Jennie was overseas at the time, it sparked significant backlash, with many criticising her behaviour as inconsiderate. Some journalists suggested that Jennie was reported to the Korean embassy in Italy, with a netizen providing evidence and requesting an investigation through Kookmin Shinmun.

What happened next?

Jennie's smoking incident took place while filming on the Italian island of Capri, and a complaint was also submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urging the Korean embassy in Italy to investigate the matter. The situation has also drawn comparisons to previous incidents involving celebrities like Ji Chang-Wook and Do Kyung-soo, who faced the same backlash for smoking indoors and issued public apologies.