BLACKPINK’s Jennie has landed herself in the hot waters and is getting a lot of negative attention for the recent smoking controversy.
On July 2, she uploaded a YouTube vlog, including a scene of her smoking indoors, which was later deleted after it sparked outrage when clips circulated online on July 8.
In the video, the You & Me singer was seen using an e-cigarette while having her hair and makeup done for the runway debut, and the smoke she exhaled was directed towards the staff members nearby.
She faced backlash from online users, who labeled her behavior as ‘rude’ and questioned why she treated the staff disrespectfully. Additionally, a netizen claimed to have filed a complaint with the South Korean Embassy in Italy.
A netizen, who believed the video was filmed on the Italian island of Capri, took action by submitting a request for investigation to the Italian Embassy through the National Information Center. They urged the authorities to thoroughly investigate Jennie’s indoor smoking incident and impose a severe penalty.
The netizen also shared a screenshot as proof that they had filed a petition with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Italy has enforced a strict indoor smoking ban since January 2005, with hefty fines imposed on those who violate the rule. Smoking in enclosed public spaces can result in a penalty of up to €250 (approximately ₩370,000) per cigarette. The fine is increased to twice the amount if the offender smokes in the presence of a pregnant woman or a minor.
On the work front, Jennie is gearing up to enter the music scene with her first-ever solo full-length album.
