K-Pop Fans Urge Boycott Of HBO's "The Idol" Despite BLACKPINK Jennie's Role

K-Pop fans are urging a boycott of the new HBO series The Idol.

Lily-Rose Depp (left) and The Weeknd (right) in “The Idol” poster

The controversial show recently premiered its first episode. It has long been anticipated due to its all-star cast, including The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp, Troye Sivan, and BLACKPINK‘s Jennie.

LILY-ROSE DEPP AS a glamorous, troubled pop star. The Weeknd as a slimy, modern cult leader. Supporting roles for Blackpink’s Jennie, Troye Sivan, and a handful of other buzzy stars. And in-demand director Sam Levinson at the helm. For months, the hype machine has been at full tilt for HBO’s upcoming series The Idol, which is being billed as a darker, crazier, and more risqué version of Levinson’s smash-hit Euphoria.

— Rolling Stone

Yet, the show’s direction drastically changed when the original woman director, Amy Seimetz, was let go and replaced by Euphoria‘s Sam Levinson. Since then, the crew has exposed disturbing behind-the-scenes information regarding the show’s production and even claimed that Jennie’s role as Dyanne is exploitation as she was allegedly used for clout, while the revised show transformed into what some have described as “torture porn” and “rape fantasy.”

But crew members claim Jennie has barely any air time and an inconsequential story arc. ‘It was like three or four lines per episode for her,’ a production source says. ‘They didn’t let her talk that much. Her job was to sit there [and] look pretty, basically.’

— Rolling Stone

Only one episode has been released so far, and it’s already been met with mixed reactions. This includes Jennie’s brief scenes as she provocatively danced with male cast members.

#JENNIE full dance (the idol)#BLACKPINK #JENLISA pic.twitter.com/5ZwAcogA9O

— Kool Kat (@bpstill888) June 5, 2023

BLINKs have jumped to Jennie’s defense against hate directed at the BLACKPINK member. As they pointed out, the dancing was not nearly as explicit as some recently released K-Dramas. Besides, she’s a professional adult.

the fact that jennie is doing what normal adults do at her age dating and doing her job having an amazing career is an issue for thempic.twitter.com/oLWLNSdDua

— jennierubyjane (@donna077dmr) June 5, 2023

korean movies/dramas got actual sex scenes while jennie did a sexy dance…so what's the issue

— ⭑ (@hbicrubyjane) June 5, 2023

the jennie clip not even being remotely provocative and kpop stans are losing their minds…how old are you lot cause she’s literally just dancing

— ۟ (@fendimogul) June 5, 2023

jennie pushing thirty and dating is an issue, jennie pushing thirty and doing choreo as an actress is an issue. some kpop stans are too out of touch with reality like 👩🏻‍🦯

— ♰ (@jensamour) June 5, 2023

Likewise, 10Asia recently reported that according to an insider, Jennie was fully aware of her scenes and what they would entail before agreeing to her role in the controversial HBO series. Again, netizens had mixed reactions to this report.

Jennie met The Weeknd in person and was offered the role. She then expressed her desire to accept the role. She (Jennie) was aware of the roles and the scenes she would have to act out, and she stated that there was something that she wanted to express.

— 10Asia

“Everyone, including The Weeknd, Rose-Depp, and the director, is being criticized globally. This drama’s issues are much deeper than its sexual themes, and because Jennie is famous in our country, there are people who are defending her. Even if she is just making a cameo, if she chose to appear after reading the synopsis, then she is also responsible. That is why actors need to choose their projects carefully.”
“She’s now a veteran in the industry, and just by looking at the way she dresses and her relationship, it’s obvious she doesn’t want her image to be that of an idol.”
“I am rooting for Jennie.”
“Why is the comments section so trashy? Regardless of whether it was her choice to appear or not, this (controversy) isn’t that deep.”
“I honestly was shocked after seeing the clips. Even if it was a sexy dance routine, it would be okay if it was tasteful, but the cinematography and the actors themselves scream B-list… Why in the world did she film this? I didn’t care for the plot and just wanted Jennie’s scenes to (not be controversial) but, sigh… I liked Jennie so much, so I am that much more disappointed. Why did she do it?”
“Which is more harmful? Jennie dancing to a sexy routine in a R-rated American drama, or people who made clips of only that scene and uploaded it everywhere so anyone can see?”
“Just looking at her outfits on tour, it seems she enjoys revealing her body and looking sexy… She’s an adult who made the choice to appear, so what can you do? Aren’t you guys criticizing her only because she’s a Korean idol?”
“She’s an adult and is a veteran, so don’t you think she made the decision knowing the influence it would have on society? Although it seems she’s made that decision while only considering herself. I think she’s planning on getting into Hollywood through this.”
“Jennie doesn’t need to be like other idols. Just let her do her. Why are you disappointed all the time? LOL.”
“You guys are making so much noise over nothing. I don’t understand you guys cursing her out and saying it’s the end for her because she filmed a sexy dance routine. You guys make it seem like she filmed a bed scene.”
“After reading this… I once thought Jennie was the biggest fashion icon, but she doesn’t seem hip anymore. Amazingly, her (cool) image has disappeared entirely.”

Despite many fans defending Jennie’s participation in The Idol, others are also strongly encouraging everyone, including BLINKs, to boycott the show.

@luafa1ry

im sure pll will upload clips of jennie , dont watch it. #theidol #theidoljennie #theidolhbo #theidolcontroversy #samlevinson #theweeknd #hbo #mutuals #fyp #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #misashotlover

♬ Hey baby X Hands up – Koko ♡

Please don’t hate watch The Idol. Bad publicity is publicity too. pic.twitter.com/x40Qzim8Ie

— Shru (@mygmarauders) May 30, 2023

i don’t even watch jennie in the idol but i will not let a woman be slutshamed

— cami 愛 (@nctshunty) June 7, 2023

pls don’t watch the idol! i understand u might wanna watch it bc of jennie but please don’t fall for it! they’ve said that jennie has barely any lines but was heavily promoted bc of her fame. the movie is highly misogynistic just like the weeknd.

— marie (@matthewheartss) May 31, 2023

@zb1files

the screenwriters literally discredited jennie throughout but now everyone wanna jump in to hate on her ass like she wrote the freaking story #zb1files #jennie #jenniekim #blackpink #theidol #kpop #fyp #fypシ #viral

♬ original sound – tripleS!!

Alternatively, many are posting not only clips but Jennie’s full scenes on social media. So, rather than watching the entire show, which has also received poor ratings from critics, you can just check those out.