The Weeknd's latest release, a track titled "K-POP" featuring Travis Scott and Bad Bunny, has ignited a whirlwind of discussions among netizens. While the song's title directly references Korea's central music industry, some listeners are suggesting that it may actually hint at The Weeknd's alleged relationship with BLACKPINK's Jennie.
Speculation Surrounding "K-POP" Song and Jennie's Involvement
Upon its release, "K-POP" quickly became a hot topic in Korea, but the lyrics seemed to diverge from the title's expected subject matter. This led some netizens to speculate that the song might contain hidden references to The Weeknd's supposed involvement with Jennie.
Certain keywords in the song, such as "Korean," "Cannes," and the title itself, "K-POP," are linked to BLACKPINK's Jennie.
Notably, Jennie was part of the promotion for "The Idol" at the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival in May. Additionally, rumors of her close association with The Weeknd have circulated, making the explicit and suggestive nature of the song's lyrics potentially damaging to Jennie's reputation.
However, fans of BLACKPINK, known as BLINKs, have stepped forward to dispel the speculation. They argue that "K-POP" in the context of the song does not pertain to Korea's music industry, but rather, they claim it references "ketamine lollipop," which directly correlates to the album's cover image. BLINKs also point to Genius' explanation of "K-POP" as a code word for a specific drug.
Unraveling the Rumors
To further debunk the rumors, BLINKs have meticulously compared Jennie's actual schedule with the events mentioned in the song's lyrics. While the song alludes to appearances at both "Cannes" and "Saint Tropez," Jennie's verified schedule only included her attendance at Cannes from May 22 to 26, with no indication of any presence in Saint Tropez.
Instead, BLINKs propose that a more fitting figure for the lyrics is Simi Khadra, The Weeknd's girlfriend and a close friend of Jennie's. Records show that Simi Khadra accompanied the "Blinding Light" singer during his time in the South of France, which included a visit to Saint Tropez, from May 19.
Additionally, she was seen together with The Weeknd from May 25 to 27. During this same period, Jennie was absent, as she had departed for Thailand to perform at the "BORN PINK" concert on May 26.
In light of these details, BLINKs argue that the mention of "Lil Yachty" in the song likely refers to an American rapper who is known to be friends with The Weeknd, rather than Jennie.
While Travis Scott announced the song on May 29, it is worth noting that "K-POP" took the artists a month to create. This discrepancy, coupled with the misalignment between the song's timeline and Jennie's verified schedule, has led many fans to believe that Jennie is the victim of unwarranted and malicious rumors. Such speculation emerges at a particularly sensitive time, given the criticism Jennie faced after the conclusion of "The Idol."
As discussions continue to circulate online, fans and netizens alike eagerly await any further developments or clarifications from The Weeknd or BLACKPINK's camp to shed light on the true meaning behind "K-POP" and its potential connections to Jennie.