BLACKPINK’s Jennie Faces Backlash Over Smoking-Related Birthday Post
BLACKPINK’s Jennie is facing renewed backlash after her 30th birthday video sparked controversy online.
January 16 was Jennie’s birthday. Fans and BLACKPINK members flooded social media with birthday wishes. YG Entertainment also shared official posts celebrating the idol.
Jennie posted a clip lighting a cake candle shaped like the number 30 on her TikTok and Instagram. The video showed her playfully lighting the candle in her mouth, which many found cute.
@jennierubyjane thirtyyyyyyy
The controversy began when some viewers linked this candle-lighting moment to Jennie’s past smoking incident.
In summer 2024, a deleted vlog clip surfaced showing Jennie vaping indoors and blowing smoke toward her makeup artist. Her agency quickly apologized for the indoor smoking and said Jennie also apologized to staff involved.
An article about her birthday post referenced the old incident, claiming the candle lighting looked like smoking. This comparison upset fans.
In response, many netizens defended Jennie online:
“Isn’t that just a Reel? I’ve seen it a lot on Shorts too.”
“The way she did the candle looks more like she was trying to be cute than imitate smoking, honestly…”
“It’s a trending Reel, yet the forced hate is unreal lol”
“So malicious.”
Fans say dragging Jennie’s birthday fun into her past smoking controversy is unnecessary and mean-spirited.
BLACKPINK and their fans continue celebrating Jennie’s milestone birthday amid mixed reactions online. The agency has not commented on the new controversy.