Following BLACKPINK member Jennie’s indoor smoking incident earlier this week, an alleged staff member who claimed they were on the scene at the ‘JACQUEMUS’ fashion show preparation site spoke up to defend the K-Pop idol.

On July 10 KST, a netizen who claimed they were present during the smoking incident wrote on an online community, “That location was the preparation site for the ‘JACQUEMUS’ fashion show, and the room was not designated as a non-smoking room. Permission to smoke was asked of everyone before vaping occurred with a window open.”

The netizen continued, “Jennie began smoking a bubble pen bought at a convenience store while her makeup staff was looking for a lip product. It just happened that the staff turned around at the wrong time. Jennie apologized to the staff member numerous times, including after the show wrapped up. The staff member said it was fine, since she is a smoker herself.”

The netizens concluded, “It is true that blowing smoke in the direction of the staff can be considered a problematic incident. However, I don’t know that this incident alone should be cause to bring up the artist’s past actions or accusations of poor character. As her friend, I’m upset that this is causing such a misunderstanding.” 

Despite the alleged staff member’s defense, many Korean netizens still showed disapproval toward Jennie’s actions. In particular, many observed that the netizen’s words had little credibility, and others also noted that smoking is banned in all indoor areas in Italy.

Some left harsh comments like,

“Well what is a paid worker like her supposed to say when her job is on the line? Get angry? Of course she’ll say it’s fine when it’s not.”

“All her staff act like her servants. Do they have no sense of self-awareness?”

“If you’re not the person who got smoke blown into their face, your opinion doesn’t matter.”

“The only thing this netizen’s defense did was give people reason to trash talk Jennie’s personality another day.”

“Who even believes this person is really one of the staff members? It could by anybody just impersonating the staff.”

“No matter the time and place, blowing smoke into someone else’s face is the lowest.”

“The actual staff who got smoke blown on her face is keeping quiet lol. She knows how to keep her job.”

“Indoor smoking shouldn’t be an issue of permission or consent. It should be banned, period!”

“If the staff go on treating the artists like their masters who can get away with anything, these kinds of unbalanced power relationships will never improve.”

“The fact that there are servants willing to defend her is more proof that she holds immense power over their jobs.”

“I’ve been smoking for 20 years but I have never seen anyone blow smoke in another smoker’s face so casually. Apparently this person knows nothing about smoking manners.” 

Meanwhile, immediately following the incident, Jennie’s agency ODD ATELIER issued a statement apologizing for the idol’s actions.