BLACKPINK’s Jennie recently sent social media into overdrive after posting a Polaroid on her Instagram Story showing herself affectionately resting her head on the shoulder of an unidentified man.

The image quickly went viral across X, Instagram, and online communities, prompting widespread speculation that the singer was subtly revealing a new romance after keeping her personal life out of the spotlight for years. Fans floated numerous theories about the mystery man, with guesses ranging from a new boyfriend to an actor, model, or even a member of her creative team.

While the photo fueled dating rumors, many fans pointed out that it appeared just as Jennie had begun teasing a new project. Rather than viewing the Polaroid as confirmation of a relationship, many believe it is part of the promotional storytelling for her upcoming release.

Jennie further fueled curiosity by posting a short message to fans: “The summer I chose to pause the love story.” The cryptic phrase immediately became another hot topic online.

Following Jennie’s message, BTS member V (Kim Taehyung) quickly became a trending topic among fans.

The speculation stems from the pair’s long-running dating rumors, which began in 2022 after alleged photos of them together surfaced online. In 2023, footage believed to show Jennie and V walking hand in hand in Paris intensified public speculation, although neither HYBE nor YG Entertainment ever confirmed their relationship. Because of that history, some netizens interpreted the phrase “pause the love story” as a possible reference to the rumored relationship.

However, there is no evidence supporting that interpretation. Jennie did not mention V or anyone else in her message, and there is nothing indicating the post was related to her personal life.

Shortly after the Polaroid gained attention, Jennie unveiled the official poster for her upcoming project, Less than a LOVER.

One detail immediately caught fans’ attention: the credits listed only Jennie’s name. According to the poster, she took on multiple creative roles, including directing, writing, and overseeing the music, making it one of her most personal projects to date.

The combination of the mysterious Polaroid, the cryptic message about “pausing the love story,” and the newly released poster has led many fans to conclude that the viral image was likely part of a carefully planned promotional campaign rather than a glimpse into Jennie’s private life.

Although many now believe the Polaroid is tied to Less than a LOVER, the identity of the man in the photo remains unknown. Among the names circulating online, two have attracted the most attention:

  • Byeon Woo-seok, one of South Korea’s most popular actors.
  • Nah Kai, a Taiwanese model.

At this stage, however, both suggestions remain purely fan speculation, and no official information has identified the man featured in the Polaroid.

With Less than a LOVER, Jennie appears to be embracing a highly personal artistic vision, taking on multiple creative responsibilities behind the scenes while using cinematic storytelling to build anticipation. Whether the mystery man plays a role in the project’s narrative or is simply part of its visual concept fans will likely have to wait until the official release to find out.

Sources: K14