On July 11, Korean news outlet MBN reported that Jennie's indoor vaping controversy has reached international coverage. According to the report, foreign media mentioned the strict atmosphere in the Korean entertainment industry.
MBN shared that earlier on July 10, CNN reported Jennie's vaping controversy, which showed her smoking an e-cigarette indoors and in front of staff. The media also disclosed ODD ATELIER's apology following the incident.
However, MBN shared that CNN made a remark saying, "K-pop stars are subject to a huge amount of public scrutiny." Apart from the remark, it also mentioned aespa Karina's apology regarding her dating news with Lee Jae Wook in March.
On the other hand, MBN also shared BBC's report on the matter, which drew spotlight on the restrictive treatment and scrutiny K-pop idols face in South Korea.
"Korean celebrities are used to being subjected to this kind of barrage," it stated. "South Korea required K-pop stars to adhere to strict moral and behavioral standards and does not tolerate any mistakes."
Korean netizens reacted negatively to the reports and expressed their frustration.
"That's not a mistake but her personality."
"Did they really compare dating with indoor smoking?"
"That wasn't a mistake."
"What? So they're blaming Korea?"
"They really pretend like they're not just as harsh as us sigh."
"This just shows that overseas have no morals."
"BBC? No but they're known to have f**king bad hate comments, why are they bullsh**ting?"
"Do foreigners know no manners? They'd shoot us to death if we blew our cigarette smoke in their faces."
"Mistake?"
"Do you really do that by mistake? There are Korean laws right?"
International fans also conveyed their opinions on the matter.
"These foreign articles always try to highlight anything negative related to K-pop."
"Insane behavioral standards for idols are negative no matter how you look at it."
"It's not about the smoking, or even smoking indoors. What turned me off was the fact she couldn't wait 5 minutes for the staff to finish their job so she could smoke."
"Not to defend her but this controversy got way too much attention compared to worse things to the point it's getting ridiculous."
"BBC saying that like the average British person wouldn't bulldoze you for smoking indoors."
"I think in some ways, Korea is admirable for upholding standards and keeping celebrities accountable because Hollywood celebs get away with some of the worst things."
BBC and other media calling Knetz embarrassing for making a celebrity vaping such a huge issue in their country. Yes knetz, everyone is laughing for how harshly you treat women. https://t.co/R8M4PVgDqJ
Female celebrities are always hated all over the world,just the issues are different.Western medias are really hypocrites,we all witnessed how they bullied young female celebrities. 🤢 https://t.co/pfRFMwjlm3
