Ahead of her comeback, BLACKPINK Jennie faced cultural appropriation controversy after some netizens called her out for using the word "Mantra" as her single's title.
After a year since dropping "You & Me," Jennie is set to return with a new solo song "Mantra" on Oct. 11th.
Before its official release, the global superstar has been teasing the song through concept and video teasers including its snippet and lyrics.
While it raised BLINKs and Jensetters' high anticipation even more, some Indian netizens, who are supposedly ARMYs (BTS fans) took to X to criticize Jennie for her song's title.
In Hinduism and Buddhism, "mantra" is a Sanskrit word that is used to describe a sacred message often used during meditation. Looking at the lyrics, desi netters were offended that the sacred word was used by Jennie for a party-themed track.
The word "mantra" has literally nothing to do with the lyrics she wrote and it is disrespectful.... It's a Sanskrit word which is related to Hindus.... You've disrespected our lord Ganesha before and now this ?? Who do you think you actually are ???? https://t.co/VpTkRhqkPI pic.twitter.com/ZL5LZLAGy0
— 𝙹𝚒𝚒𝚗𝚞⁷⁼¹♡ ᴴᴬᴾᴾʸ ᵕ̈ (@Kimjiinu7) October 1, 2024
This is the same group that disrespected Lord Ganesha, they still haven't apologized, now they named their Song "Mantra",stop exploiting our culture for your stupid music videos. https://t.co/AqpSIdcJ89 pic.twitter.com/atZBqvlc0Z
— Desi king (@DesiKing_) October 1, 2024
Corny as$ lyrics while using the word mantra, and nope it's not an English word that you can use any way you want. It's a sankrit word, one of the oldest languages in the world. Use it with respect https://t.co/72ueJhB05i pic.twitter.com/jzcWLqzFCE
— Saki⁷ is HAPPY in JIMTOBER with HOBI (@yoonsb1tch) October 1, 2024
When the BLACKPINK member was attacked for this, her supporters didn't sit still and tried to defend Jennie.
Fans highlighted that the term "mantra" has another meaning in English, which depicts repeating charm, words, or message for personal affirmation and motivation. Indian BLINKs also refuted that they find it offensive.
For all those who are barking. I’m an Indian myself, and I don’t find Jennie’s lyrics “offensive”, Mantra has different meaning. And if you read the lyrics it’s PRETTY OBVIOUS Jennie is not referring to Hindu culture here. https://t.co/XW6uIcMooJ pic.twitter.com/R8hAcNvZ7A
— Noni⊹₊⟡⋆ (@niniluvie) October 2, 2024
Yeah Oxford borrowed the word and added a different meaning. Mantra is a widely recognised term in english now. Mantra means a quote , a word or a phrase that is repeated again and again mentally or verbally. Jennie is using mantra as an affirmation. For example 👇🏻 https://t.co/7T6CQLPVMW pic.twitter.com/gbt3ojhbOs
— ١٥٧٤♡ (@jnkcullt) October 2, 2024
MANTRA teaser photo with a snake on her head reminds me of MEDUSA myth, used as feminist icon as “powerful women, threat to patriarchy society”
— za ᴼᴬ (@pooIpul) October 3, 2024
JENNIE said that her album and song “celebrate girl power and inspire every woman”
MANTRA IS COMING #JENNIEisComing#JENNIE_Mantra pic.twitter.com/b5f2HN7R2l
jennie was being accused of CA for using mantra as the title of her song by desi armys and then decided to put up a whole ass billboard of her song in the capital of India 😭 pic.twitter.com/Gbp632M6k7
— ִ (@rubyologist) October 3, 2024
In fact, billboards of Jennie for "Mantra" are also posted in India, proving that it's not problematic at all.
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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
