According to multiple entertainment insiders, on June 7, BLACKPINK’s Jennie personally decided to appear in HBO‘s ‘The Idol‘ after receiving an offer from her friend The Weeknd, who is a producer of the drama.

While there was public speculation that YG Entertainment was responsible for Jennie’s participation in ‘The Idol,’ individuals close to the matter clarified that Jennie’s decision to appear in the film was solely based on her own will.An official from TenAsia stated, “Jennie personally met with The Weeknd and received an offer to appear in the drama. We are aware that she expressed her desire to take on this project.” ‘The Idol,’ which was invited to the non-competitive section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, garnered significant attention as Jennie’s debut acting venture. Jennie took her first steps as an actress by walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, capturing the attention of fans worldwide.Set in the music industry of Los Angeles (LA), ‘The Idol’ portrays the world of idols and the love story of a popular female pop singer. Alongside The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp played the lead roles, with Troye Sivan and Dan Levy also making appearances. In the drama, Jennie portrays Diane, a backup dancer for Jocelyn, the main character who aspires to become a pop star.

However, the critical reception of ‘The Idol’ was harsh. The drama has received criticism for its excessive sensationalism, misogynistic depictions, and male-oriented sexual fantasies.Jennie, embarking on her first acting challenge through ‘The Idol,’ only showcased a provocative dance routine and had a few minutes of screen time. Her performance lacked substantial acting, making it difficult to provide a comprehensive evaluation. In particular, there are concerns that Jennie’s dance sequence with her male dancers perpetuates the excessive sexual objectification of Asian women.During an interview at the Cannes Film Festival, Jennie expressed, “I have admired Sam Levinson’s work for a long time, and I’ve always been intrigued by stories centered around the music industry.” She added, “I saw this as an opportunity to be authentic and courageous. I didn’t undergo any specific training or preparation. Sam simply wanted me to be myself. This experience is completely new to me—it feels like breaking down barriers.”