BLACKPINK’s Jisoo has once again found herself at the center of an acting controversy. Since beginning her acting career with JTBC’s Snowdrop in 2021, she has continued to appear in various projects, including Coupang Play’s Newtopia and most recently, the film Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, which premiered on July 23. However, criticism surrounding her acting abilities has only intensified with each release.
Jisoo debuted as the lead character Eun Young-ro in Snowdrop, but her performance was overshadowed by controversy over historical distortion and critiques of her basic acting skills—such as unclear pronunciation, awkward expressions, and weak vocal delivery. These issues persisted in Newtopia, where viewers noted her intonation resembled that of actress Ji Ye-eun, known for comedic roles, making emotional immersion difficult.
Her latest role in Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint has drawn similar criticism. Playing Lee Ji-hye, a high school student loyal to Yoo Jung-hyuk (played by Lee Min-ho), she appears for about five minutes midway through the film. Despite the short screen time, viewers noted her unnatural line delivery and weak emotional expression. Fans of the original work also voiced disappointment over character changes and Jisoo’s portrayal.
Online forums and social media were filled with negative reactions, including comments like: “Her slurred pronunciation and awkward tone break immersion,” “She sounds like Ji Ye-eun on SNL—it’s unintentionally funny,” and “Her emotional depth is lacking, and her lines sound recited.” Many pointed out that her shortcomings stood out even more alongside seasoned actors like Lee Min-ho and Ahn Hyo-seop.
Among all her acting roles, the only project that escaped criticism was her appearance as a silent fairy in the film Dr. Cheon and the Lost Talisman, where her presence and aura—despite having no lines—were praised as captivating and scene-stealing. This contrast underscores the ongoing perception that Jisoo struggles with emotional acting.
Despite these criticisms, Jisoo continues to land major roles, largely due to the massive global popularity and visibility her fandom brings. Director Kim Byung-woo even admitted that the role in Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint might have been overlooked if not for Jisoo’s star power, calling her casting a strategic decision based on her public recognition. Indeed, the film’s trailer attracted significant attention from international fans, proving her global appeal.
Idols pursuing acting is nothing new. The term “acting-dol,” once common since the first generation of K-pop, has fallen out of use as many idols—such as Im Si-wan, Do Kyung-soo (D.O.), IU, Yoona, and Suzy—have proven their talent and earned widespread recognition as legitimate actors. These successes have bolstered public trust not only in idol-turned-actors but in K-content as a whole.
In contrast, Jisoo remains under intense scrutiny, taking on lead roles despite persistent criticism since her debut. She is currently filming the Netflix original Boyfriend on Demand alongside Seo In-guk, taking on another romantic comedy lead. However, the gap between public expectations and her actual performances continues to draw attention.
Directors have acknowledged her dedication. Yoon Sung-hyun, who directed Newtopia, shared that Jisoo participated in script readings more than four times a week. Still, critics argue that compared to full-time actors, her preparation time is insufficient, and more importantly, her results don’t reflect the effort.
Other BLACKPINK members have also explored acting in varying ways. Jennie appeared in HBO’s The Idol, though the focus shifted to controversies rather than her performance. Rosé has shown glimpses of emotional acting in short-form content, while Lisa has continued to focus on stage performance and music.
Ultimately, Jisoo is the only BLACKPINK member actively pursuing a full-fledged acting career. As such, public scrutiny, expectations, and demands for proof of talent have naturally followed. In today’s landscape, the excuse of “just an idol trying acting” no longer holds weight—especially for someone taking on lead roles under the title of “actor.”
What Jisoo needs now isn’t the shield of fandom, but credibility earned through skill. The test to be recognized not as “idol Jisoo” but as “actress Kim Jisoo” is still ongoing—and her latest film is no exception to that trial.
Nate
You must be logged in to post a comment.