KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Jennie of Blackpink was recently embroiled in a controversy after she was seen vaping indoors. In her latest vlog filmed in Italy, she was seen putting an electronic cigarette to her lips and exhaling a puff of smoke. But why is there a controversy and social media outcry in the first place? No one would bat an eye if an artist from the West, like Justin Bieber or A$AP Rocky, were smoking or vaping.
This is because K-pop idols are held to a different, strict code of conduct as opposed to artists from other parts of the world. ‘Idols’, as they are called in South Korea, are seen as having a higher status than ordinary people and are expected to achieve unrealistic standards of beauty and behaviour, according to Firstpost. Several artists and former trainees have spoken out about the K-pop industry's control over their idol's ‘perfect image’.
As early as being trainees, the artists must adhere to a series of rules to protect their image and, more importantly, the company's public image.. 10 strict rules These are just 10 of the many rules that are generally accepted not only by Korean idols but entertainers and celebrities alike, according to Koreaboo.
In a Youtube video, former K-pop trainee Grazy Grace said that it is normal for agencies to pressure female idols to keep a certain weight or restrict their diets to keep slim appearances. Only senior idols are allowed to have personal Instagram accounts. But even then, they are not allowed to res.
