From Global Idols to the Centre of Controversy: What Has Happened to BLACKPINK?
As BLACKPINK’s group activities have diminished and the members have pursued diverse careers across business, fashion and the entertainment industry, many fans’ focus has gradually shifted from the group’s performances, music,and commercial value to discussions about their private lives and personal expressions. Controversies surrounding morality, sex, and public responsibility have also been repeatedly raised amongst fans, sparking heated debates. Whilst these controversies may appear distinct on the surface, they all point to the same underlying issue. It has become increasingly difficult for female idol groups to be loved by fans simply as figures of entertainment. They are inevitably placed within a system where they are constantly subjected to public scrutiny of their values.
A particularly well-known incident was Lisa’s appearance at Paris’s Crazy Horse, which caused a huge stir on the Chinese internet. The matter became so serious that the Chinese social media platform Weibo suspended her account (The Economic Times 2023) , which had millions of followers (Figure 1). Lisa not only attended the event but also heavily promoted it on Instagram (Figure 2), which was then shared on Weibo by Chinese fans, sparking intense debate and controversy. The internet was swiftly polarised, with supporters viewing this as an expression of female autonomy and confidence(Zhao 2023). In their view, as an adult woman, Lisa has the right to decide how to present her body and sensuality. Consequently, it was viewed by many supporters as an expression of female agency, and was even imbued with the significance of shattering the male gaze (Zhao 2023). However, critics pointed out that this approach further objectifies women and may have a negative impact on young fans (Zhao 2023). No matter how artistically the show is packaged, it is fundamentally built upon the logic of the consumption of the female body. Lisa’s participation has not truly broken through this structure; rather, it may make such consumption appear more legitimate under the guise of free choice.
In contrast, at the Bangkok concert, GOT7 member Jackson Wang performed shirtless, allowing fans to touch him directly, and invited a female fan to dance closely with him. Such proactive, suggestive stage interactions during concerts are regarded as a special treat (Chin 2022). Furthermore, Jackson Wang is not only able to name an album ‘Sex God’ outright, but can also openly state his appreciation for sex (Sirikul 2026). Yet when such proactive sensuality and sexually charged discourse appear in female idols, they are all too easily subjected to swift moral judgement by the public. It is not difficult to see that, in reality, most audiences don’t actually mind sexy as a trait. Subconsciously, though, they hold male and female idols to two completely different standards when it comes to body expression. Male idols’ physical displays are typically interpreted as charm, confidence and strength, whereas female idols who take the initiative in expressing sensuality are easily drawn into debates about whether they are objectifying women or corrupting their fans. Consequently, the controversy surrounding Lisa stems not merely from the issue of sensuality itself, but from the public’s moral scrutiny of women’s bodily autonomy.
Female idols’ interactions with males also frequently become the focus of public debate. When Jennie starred in the HBO series The Idol, she sparked significant controversy due to scenes in which she performed provocative dances with predominantly male dancers (video 1) (Kim 2024). Critics argued that her behaviour was designed to pander to men and that she would stop at nothing to attract attention, whilst supporters maintained that she was the centrepiece of the series and commended her for daring to challenge the harsh standards imposed on idols (Entertainment Desk 2023). It is worth noting that in this controversy, whether through accusations of pandering to men or defences of female autonomy, the core focus remained Jennie herself. By contrast, the male dancers who performed alongside her rarely feature in the discussion. They are neither required to bear corresponding moral responsibility nor do they often become the subject of public scrutiny. This happens because we’re still stuck with deep-rooted gender stereotypes about how men and women ‘should’ act. The moment a woman breaks the mold or challenges these unwritten rules, the backlash is swift and harsh (Wilhelm 2021).
In contrast, Jisoo’s involvement in public controversy due to her brother’s scandal illustrates a different kind of crisis for an idol. Jisoo’s brother was accused of sexual harassment by a woman and a netizen claiming to be Jisoo’s sister-in-law came forward to accuse her own husband of domestic violence, exposing evidence of the abuse on social media (Haesun 2026). On 20 April, Jisoo’s agency immediately distanced itself from the matter, stating that Jisoo had been separated from her family for a long time and that the company operated completely independently, with no financial ties to Jisoo’s family. Although this family dispute had no direct connection to Jisoo, she still faced public pressure, with some netizens even believing that Jisoo herself bore some responsibility (Hankookilbo 2026). What these netizens seem to be truly concerned about is not the issue of responsibility itself, but the nature of the relationship. In other words, this scrutiny is not directed at Jisoo because she has done anything wrong, but because she is related to the person at the centre of the controversy. When fans believe they understand an idol’s personality, upbringing and values, family relationships are also incorporated into this imagination. Consequently, once a family member becomes embroiled in controversy, a section of the public begins to re-evaluate the idol herself and question whether the image they previously held of her was genuine. Thus, this is not merely a crisis of association but also a crisis of authenticity. For some fans, the focus has long since shifted from whether she did anything wrong to whether she is still worthy of trust.
Lisa’s striptease performance is no longer merely a show. It has evolved into a profound exploration of feminism and objectification. Jennie’s sexy image is no longer just a style choice, but has become a discussion about how female idols should exist. Jisoo’s family controversy is not merely a private matter, but has been reinterpreted as a crisis concerning the authenticity of idols and their public responsibility.
Public judgement of female idols often extends beyond their specific actions to encompass their identity, relationships and even their character. In other words, the debate is never merely about what they have done, but rather what kind of people they ought to be. Their bodies, private lives, romantic relationships and even their values are swiftly drawn into debates about public morality and social issues.
Yet, curiously, these controversies have not diminished BLACKPINK’s global influence. Whether through criticism, defence or ongoing debate, each storm seems to have failed to truly sever the bond between the members and their fans. On the contrary, many fans continue to stay, offer explanations, show support, and even actively participate in the discussions and responses surrounding the controversies.
So, when idols are constantly subjected to public scrutiny, why do fans still choose to believe in them? And how is this trust maintained and rebuilt amidst repeated controversies?
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References:
Chin, C. (2022, November 30). Jackson Wang gives fans lap dances at Bangkok concert. NME. https://www.nme.com/news/music/jackson-wang-fanservice-lap-dance-more-magic-man-bangkok-show-tour-3358102
Entertainment Desk. (2023, June 7). Fans hail BLACKPINK s Jennie as the idol on The Idol amid backlash. The Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2420625/fans-hail-blackpinks-jennie-as-the-idol-on-the-idol-amid-backlash
Haesun, H. (2026, April 21). “Jisoo Stop-Loss Selling” Older Brother, Wife’s Shocking Revelation: “Bite Torture, Forced to Swallow Phlegm”. Starnews.
https://www.starnewskorea.com/en/star/2026/04/21/2026042110212271396
Hankookilbo. (2026, April 27). As BLACKPINK’s Jisoo faces backlash, questions grow over guilt by association. The Korea Times. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/k-pop/20260427/as-blackpinks-jisoo-faces-backlash-questions-grow-over-guilt-by-association
Kim , H. (2024, July 23). BLACKPINK jennie of ’the idol,’ controversial for sexual content, nominated for emmy award. The Asia Business Daily. https://www.asiae.co.kr/en/article/2024072320570713615
Sirikul, L. (2026, April 10). Jackson wang is happy now and ready to up his sex symbol status. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurasirikul/2026/04/10/jackson-wang-is-happy-now-and-ready-to-up-his-sex-symbol-status/
The Economic Times. (2023, November 2). BlackPink’s Lisa gets suspended from Weibo amid “Crazy Horse” controversy, group’s fans lambast China’s censorship laws. The Economic Times.
Wilhelm, C. (2021). Gendered (in)visibility in digital media contexts. Studies in Communication Sciences, 21(1), 99–113. https://doi.org/10.24434/j.scoms.2021.01.007
Zhao, I. (2023, September 11). Blackpink’s Lisa Manobal faces online hate from Chinese K-pop fans for performing at Crazy Horse cabaret club. ABC News.
