BLACKPINK's Jennie Faces Backlash for Indoor Smoking in Italy

BlackPink's Jennie has found herself at the center of controversy after a video surfaced showing her smoking indoors. The video, originally uploaded to Jennie's YouTube vlog on July 2nd, was later deleted after clips circulated online on July 8th.

 

The video shows Jennie using an e-cigarette while getting her hair and makeup done for a runway debut. The smoke she exhales is directed towards staff members nearby, sparking outrage from online users who criticized her behavior as "rude" and disrespectful to the staff.

 

One netizen, believing the video was filmed on the Italian island of Capri, went so far as to file a complaint with the South Korean Embassy in Italy. They requested an investigation into Jennie's indoor smoking incident and urged authorities to impose a severe penalty. The netizen also shared a screenshot of a petition filed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as proof of their action.

 

Italy has a strict indoor smoking ban in place since January 2005, with hefty fines imposed for violations. Smoking in enclosed public spaces can result in a penalty of up to €250 (approximately ₩370,000) per cigarette. The fine is doubled if the offender smokes in the presence of a pregnant woman or a minor.