S. Korea petitioned to probe Blackpink Jennie's 'vaping incident' | ABS-CBN

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S. Korea petitioned to probe Blackpink Jennie's 'vaping incident'

S. Korea petitioned to probe Blackpink Jennie's 'vaping incident'

ABS-CBN News

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Updated Jul 09, 2024 03:59 PM PHT

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Blackpink member Jennie. Photo from Jennie's Instagram account

SEOUL, South Korea (UPDATED) — A now-deleted video showing K-pop megastar Jennie of Blackpink apparently smoking a vape indoors has sparked online outcry, with Seoul's foreign ministry telling AFP Tuesday it had received a formal complaint. 

In the footage, uploaded as part of a live blog on YouTube for fans but subsequently removed even as copies of it spread across the internet, Jennie appears to exhale vape smoke while a bevy of hair and make-up artists work closely on her face. 

Smoking cigarettes or vapes indoors is illegal in South Korea and the footage triggered headlines and online outrage, with "indoor smoking" and "Blackpink Jennie" becoming top trending topics on X in the South. 

"Controversy over Jennie's indoor smoking... exhaling smoke in the face of her staff," was the headline of the Yonhap news agency's report on the incident, typical of the widespread reporting in Korean-language media. 

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One internet user claimed the incident likely happened in Italy's Capri, where Jennie had been filming, and said they had requested that the South Korean Embassy in Italy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs probe the Blackpink star, the Korea Times reported. 

The user urged Seoul to request "an investigation from the Italian authorities regarding Blackpink's Jennie's indoor smoking incident and take strict action," the report said. 

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told AFP on Tuesday that they had received a petition related to the incident. 

Blackpink is one of South Korea's most successful K-pop girl groups, with their songs topping charts both locally and internationally. 

Blackpink's other achievements include being the first K-pop girl group to reach the top of the US Billboard 200 chart, and the first Asian artists to headline prestigious music events such as Coachella.

"Posting such a video on her own SNS channel raises serious questions about her common sense... It is deeply disappointing," said one commentator on South Korean portal Naver. 

On X, the platform formerly called Twitter, Jennie's agency OA Entertainment apologized "to everyone who felt uncomfortable" with the singer's actions. 

"Jennie acknowledges and deeply regrets her mistake of vaping indoors and causing inconvenience to the staff," OA said. 

The singer also apologized to fans "who may have been disappointed through this incident," it added. 

Smoking rates are relatively high in South Korea, but according to official data, as of 2022, only five percent of South Korean women smoke, compared to 30 percent of men.

South Korean pop stars undergo rigorous training for years before their debut and are held to high behavioral standards, with smoking, dating and swearing largely forbidden, especially in the first years following their debut.

Jennie has previously confessed to struggling with these expectations.

"It's really harsh," Jennie, who debuted with Blackpink in 2016, said in a Netflix documentary.

"We were not allowed to drink, smoke or get a tattoo," she recalled of her training period, adding that she had to endure "being told that I'm not good at stuff." -- With reports from Agence France-Presse and Jaehwa Bernardo, ABS-CBN News

For more news and features on K-pop, K-drama, and K-stars, visit the Hallyu Corner microsite.

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Kapamilya stars shine at 10th Platinum Stallion National Media Awards

Kapamilya stars shine at 10th Platinum Stallion National Media Awards

Ganiel Krishnan,

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA — Kapamilya stars triumphed at the 10th Platinum Stallion National Media Awards, bringing home recognitions across film, television, and music. 

The annual awards ceremony, organized by Trinity University of Asia, honors outstanding individuals and programs that have made a significant impact in media and entertainment.

Vice Ganda received the prestigious Best Film Artist Award for the movie “And the Breadwinner Is…”, which was also named Film of the Year. 

The comedian expressed her joy over the recognition, emphasizing how special this win was for her.

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“Super happy kaya sabi ko, personal akong pupunta doon para matanggap ko nang personal yung award. Masarap sa pakiramdam na ibang award naman ang natanggap ko this time. Maraming beses na akong nabigyan ng Platinum Stallion Awards pero sa hosting, game show, o noontime show ko. Pero this time, sa pelikula naman—sa pag-arte. Kaya nakakatuwa at espesyal kasi sa akin itong ‘And the Breadwinner Is…’” she shared.

Vice’s noontime show, It’s Showtime, also won Best Noontime Show at the awards night. Hosts Jackie Gonzaga and Cianne Dominguez joined Vice in receiving the recognition. Jackie expressed her gratitude, saying, “Sobrang grateful po kami na meron na namang award para sa ‘It’s Showtime,’ at masarap din sa puso na andito kami ngayon para i-receive ito.”

Kapamilya P-Pop groups BGYO and BINI were among the night’s winners.

BGYO was named Filipino Boy Group of the Year, marking their first-ever win at the Platinum Stallion National Media Awards. 

Member Nate expressed his appreciation, saying, “This is our first time receiving an award from Trinity University. Thankful that they recognized us as a group and our music.”

Meanwhile, BINI won Filipino Girl Group of the Year and took home the Music Video of the Year award for their hit song “Cherry on Top.”

Aside from its artists, ABS-CBN was also recognized as Digital Media Network of the Year, solidifying its status as a powerhouse in Philippine entertainment.

Actress Xyriel Manabat was honored as Breakthrough Artist of the Year, a testament to her growing presence in the industry.

Veteran host Luis Manzano won Best Variety Show Host for Rainbow Rumble, which also bagged Best Game Show at the awards night.

Meanwhile, seasoned journalist Bernadette Sembrano was recognized as Best Public Service Program Host for Lingkod Kapamilya.

In the music category, singer-songwriter Maki won Song of the Year for “Namumula” and was named Breakthrough Music Artist of the Year.

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