"Rolling Stone Korea" Releases Statement Following Backlash For "Disrespecting" BLACKPINK's Jisoo And Lisa In A Recent Article

Last month, BLACKPINK fans couldn’t stop praising Rolling Stone after the publication released exclusive interviews and pictorials of the group. Yet, Rolling Stones Korea recently came under fire from netizens after the publication released an article that was seen as “disrespectful” toward BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Jisoo.

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo (left) and Lisa (right)

When the article was posted, BLINKs were angered by how Jisoo’s growth was described. The article literally stated that she doesn’t have as much talent as the other members.

Although she does not possess the most outstanding talent in the group as a vocalist or dancer, her growth is much more apparent.

— Rolling Stone Korea

Jisoo excerpt from “Rolling Stone Korea” article. | *@sohooyoungro/Twitter*

Later in the article, the publication also spoke about Lisa. Rather than focusing on her talent, the words in the paragraph centered on her ethnicity. They seem to imply that foreign members of a K-Pop group bring “kinks” to the songs.

The unique presence of Lisa, created by her overpowering physical charm and exotic appearance…highlight her identity as a solo artist.

…her pronunciation in those songs is natural enough to prevent the listener from sensing any kinks from the foreign member of the group.

— Rolling Stone Korea

Lisa excerpt from “Rolling Stone Korea” article. | *@GIRL0VESICK/Twitter*

Unsurprisingly, it received a lot of backlash from BLINKs who started trending various phrases and demanded the publication apologize for their article.

using ‘EXOTIC’ just because she’s a foreigner? what is this? the racism? as if the h*te she receives daily on social media wasn’t enough, this is embarrassing and so unprofessional.

RESPECT LISA
APOLOGIZE TO LISA pic.twitter.com/vmaF28e7Od

— ً (@GIRL0VESICK) July 11, 2022

Xenophobic comments with Lisa and disparaged Jisoo as if she was only part of the bp for being pretty. She worked hard to get into the group and no one can deny that, it's always an old korean man who tries to put girls down and doesn't accept that they are dominating everything. https://t.co/8cEcnSozw9

— leo 🉐 (@magalbossthings) July 11, 2022

After the backlash from netizens across social media, on July 12, Rolling Stones Korea responded to the allegations on Instagram and apologized to both BLACKPINK and fans for the article. In the post, the publication admitted that the words they used were not appropriate.

We have listened, have read, and have taken in all the considerations and remarks regarding the recent BLACKPINK column. We admittedly noted that we used innapropriate choice of words and context that led to this misunderstanding.

— Rolling Stone Korea

They also explained that they would be modifying the articles both online and in the next print edition. Although they explained that it might take some time, the publication vowed to right its wrongs against BLACKPINK.

A revised and modified column will be published in the second edition of the print next week. The revised column will be on our official website. We apologize to the artists for causing concerns. We ask for patience with us. Thank you.

— Rolling Stone Korea

When the apology was posted, BLINKs had mixed feelings about the statement. Many shared that although Rolling Stone Korea had addressed the issue and was going to make changes, it didn’t change the fact that it was written in the first place.