Korean Netizens Claim BLACKPINK’s Jennie Was “Scammed” Into Appearing In HBO’s “The Idol”

Netizens debated whether BLACKPINK‘s Jennie should be criticized for choosing to appear in the controversial upcoming HBO series, The Idol.

Recently the topic of Jennie’s participation in HBO’s The Idol has become a hot issue. Although initially, fans were thrilled that Jennie would be appearing in a highly-anticipated HBO series, fans were recently mortified to learn about some of the NSFW content that would be appearing in the series.

Revenge porn photos of bodily fluids on Lily Rose Depp’s face, masturbation with ice cubes, nightclub-owning scam artists and vile Hollywood sycophants populated the first two episodes of Sam Levinson's "The Idol." https://t.co/CbGnrTP3Cp

— Variety (@Variety) May 22, 2023

Some netizens, however, defended the idol citing the show had been completely changed from its original synopsis and alleged that Jennie was fooled into choosing the project.

I heard the director and the show’s scenario were completely changed, so the actors were basically scammed.

— Netizen

In March, media outlet Rolling Stones released an exposé in which it alleged that the original script and overall direction of the show had been completely changed once Sam Levinson took over director duties.

In interviews with 13 members of the show’s cast and crew, Rolling Stone has learned the drastic delay was caused by Levinson taking over as director and scrapping the nearly-finished $54-75 million project to rewrite and reshoot the entire thing.

With Seimetz out of the picture, HBO handed the reins to Levinson, only to have him weaken the show’s overarching message, many sources say, by dialing up the disturbing sexual content and nudity to match — and even surpass — that of his most successful show, Euphoria.

— Rolling Stones

Due to this revelation, some Korean netizens debated whether it was fair to criticize Jennie for appearing in the show, with many claiming the idol was scammed into appearing. Still, others alleged it would have been impossible for Jennie not to be aware of the changes made.

• “Jennie probably decided to appear because it was controversial, and she knew it would make her money. You make it seem like she was threatened to appear or something?”
• “I wonder why Jennie chose to appear in the drama, it isn’t like she needed it or anything.”
• “Wait, Jennie chose to appear after she learned of the drama’s synopsis? I heard she was fooled, why are people lying?”
• “Jennie shot her cameo, but then it was altered without her knowledge, and it has been changed from the original content.”
• “It’s not like Jennie would have shot the show without knowing the contents, and she did play a part in the show. If the show’s direction had changed, she could have simply chosen not to shoot it.”
• “I was wondering why Jennie would shoot something like this, but I saw in the comments that the synopsis had changed. These f@ckers…”
• “The person who shot the drama and the person who made the drama (are equally bad).”
• “LOL, you guys are doing your best trying to defend her, LOL. If you guys just stayed calm, people, despite the bad story, might wonder if there was a reason why she chose this. Why are you guys making things up about a synopsis?”
• “She shouldn’t have done it… All the original actors left the show.”

What are your thoughts?