BLACKPINK's Jennie Shares First Social Media Update After Her Alleged Smoking Controversy

After facing scrutiny and backlash, BLACKPINK’s Jennie has resumed posting on Instagram. Last month, she made headlines following an indoor smoking incident that occurred on July 2. Jennie had shared a vlog from her trip to Italy on her YouTube channel, where fans admired her fashion sense. However, a particular moment caught additional attention: viewers noticed Jennie holding what appeared to be an electronic cigarette or vape while getting her hair and makeup done. In a subsequent shot, she was allegedly seen smoking.

While fans acknowledged Jennie’s legal right to smoke as an adult, the issue was that she did so indoors, which is banned in many countries, including South Korea and Italy, where she was at the time. Nearly a month after the incident, on July 30, Jennie made a social media return by sharing an Instagram Story to wish a happy birthday to a staff member from her agency, according to Koreaboo.

“To Mini Mini Park Mini unni who I love, Happy Birthday! Be happy today too, Mini princess,” wrote Jennie. Along with it, she also included a short video clip of the person, celebrating her special day.

This was Jennie’s first social media activity since the incident, so it garnered significant attention from fans and the public.

Earlier last month the smoking controversy erupted, Jennie reportedly edited her vlog to remove the scenes where she was seen vaping. Soon after, her agency also released her statement and acknowledged her actions, saying, “Jennie acknowledges and deeply regrets her mistake of vaping indoors and causing inconvenience to the staff. Jennie has personally apologised to all the staff on-site who may have been affected.”

On her work front, the idol has recently launched her own music label, Odd Atelier in order to explore her solo career while still being an active member of BLACKPINK. Additionally, Jennie has also collaborated with BLACK B’s Zico on the song Spot, which topped local charts in South Korea, and she achieved her first entry into the Billboard 100 chart with her feature on One of the Girls.