BLACKPINK member Jennie has unexpectedly found herself at the center of online controversy after arriving in Taiwan to attend the 40th Golden Disc Awards, which is being held for the first time at Taipei Dome on January 10.
On January 8, several Korean artists began arriving in Taiwan via charter flights for the prestigious music event. Jennie was spotted earlier that day at Incheon International Airport, dressed casually in a gray sweater and jeans. She appeared relaxed, smiling brightly and even waving at cameras while holding a small plush keychain — a moment that quickly spread across Korean media outlets.
However, her demeanor reportedly changed drastically after landing in Taiwan.
According to local media and fan-captured footage, Jennie maintained a low profile upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport. Wearing a hat and sunglasses, she kept a serious expression throughout the process. Once seated inside the airport shuttle operated by ground staff, Jennie was seen pulling her oversized coat over her entire body, completely covering herself and avoiding eye contact with fans and reporters.
The contrast between her cheerful departure in Korea and her reserved behavior in Taiwan quickly became a talking point online.
Some netizens criticized Jennie’s actions, accusing her of being disrespectful to Taiwan and its fans. Comments circulated questioning her attitude, with some stating that the flight from Korea to Taiwan is relatively short and dismissing fatigue as an excuse. Others even remarked that if she felt unwilling, she did not need to attend the event at all.
The controversy gained further traction after Taiwanese internet personality Chen Yi (陳沂) weighed in with a lengthy post on social media. While acknowledging the backlash, Chen Yi offered a controversial defense of JENNIE, describing the criticism as overblown.
Chen Yi pointed out that comparisons were being made between JENNIE’s demeanor at Taiwanese airports and her more cheerful appearances in Korea, where she is often seen smiling and waving at fans. Some netizens interpreted the contrast as a sign of unequal treatment. Addressing this, Chen Yi wrote that the reaction itself reflected a sense of insecurity, arguing that “if Taiwan’s market were big enough and its status high enough, she’d probably smile here too.”
Interestingly, Chen Yi—who identified herself as a JENNIE fan—did not completely excuse the behavior. She openly criticized what she saw as a lack of professionalism, stating, “For idols, a business smile is basic professional ethics. Even if you’re unhappy inside, you should still smile and wave at fans.”
At the same time, she admitted to admiring JENNIE’s unapologetic attitude, describing it as authentic and in line with her “queen” image. “If people say she’s acting like a diva, so what? She really is a top-tier star. That’s exactly why she can afford to act this way,” Chen Yi wrote, a comment that further fueled debate.
Chen Yi also drew comparisons to other K-pop stars, suggesting that groups like TWICE would not be able to maintain such a cold expression in public and would likely be expected to smile and greet fans nonstop. She contrasted JENNIE with soloists like IU, known for her consistently warm public image, noting that such differences could come down to professionalism—or simply personality.
The discussion soon expanded beyond JENNIE, with netizens bringing up past “cold attitude” controversies involving Taiwanese artists such as Wang ADEN. Some argued that fame plays a decisive role in public forgiveness, pointing out that lesser-known artists often face harsher consequences for similar behavior. Chen Yi responded bluntly, saying Wang ADEN “wasn’t big enough to act that way,” reinforcing her stance that star power changes public expectations.
As the debate continues, opinions remain sharply divided. While critics insist that international stars should show basic courtesy regardless of status, supporters argue that JENNIE’s reserved demeanor aligns with her established image and does not warrant accusations of disrespect.
Sources: Yahoo News
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