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BLACKPINK's Jennie was recently involved with Hollywood actress Margaret Qualley and her comment about her blonde hair. Was this an example of cultural appropriation in full swing, or a comment which has been taken out of hand? We take a closer look! Recently actress Margaret Qualley has been accused of "being racist" towards BLACKPINK's Jennie at the Chanel Spring/Summer 2025 fashion show in France. Jennie and Margaret Qualley were working the room and socializing, and as seen in the video below Margaret Qualley embraced Jennie before touching her hair and asking her "Is your hair real?" Jennie replied with a smile "No, it's not" , to which Margaret Qualley responded to Jennie by saying "It looks real" . Let's take a look! Fans and critics have expressed their strong opinions by saying that Margaret Qualley should be accused of prejudice for asking the question. Fans called out the comment, touching her hair as "inappropriate" and "disrespectful". Many viewed the incident as racially charged, interpreting the questioning of Jennie's blonde hair as insensitive, especially given the cultural context. In the West, cultural appropriation of this nature has made headlines with other A-list stars in the past, and especially in the UK since it is a diverse country, it can lead to meaningless comments (perhaps like this one) being taken out of hand and therefore receiving a lot of unwanted attention and backlash. Let's take a look at this post which has been posted on X: This situation escalated even further when some fans pointed out another time when there was discomfort displayed. While posing for photos together Jennie was seen making a pout to perhaps kiss Margaret Qualley on the cheek, however, Margaret Qualley allegedly flinched and pulled back, leading fans to question why she perhaps hesitated a friendly gesture from the star. Did it have any racial discrimination behind it? Or was it a shocked response? Let's take a look at this post from X: Many fans have rightly so been conflicted and confused by the mixed signals that Margaret Qualley gave off toward Jennie at the event. In my opinion, having watched the video, I think Margaret Qualley was working the room and networking, and when she commented "Is this your real hair?" it was perhaps meant innocently, as Jennie's hair looked striking. I can understand where some of her fans have come from claiming that it was not an innocent comment. Jennie does appear to show some hesitation later when she got Margaret Qualley to pose for a photo with a photographer as I can see in her body language, however, she does play to the camera very well and makes the pout face to express some happiness for the photo. What do you think? Overall, the interactions have left Jennie's fans frustrated, accusing Margaret Qualley of not respecting boundaries and displaying behavior that some have labeled as racially insensitive. Let us know what you think. Let us know your opinion on this topic in the comments below. #jenniekim #maragaretqualley #racism #blondehair #kpopfans

Why Is Jisoo’s Drama Newtopia Struggling to Gain Viewers? BLACKPINK's Jisoo takes on a challenging role in Newtopia , playing Yeong Ju, a young woman fighting for survival amid a sudden zombie outbreak while dealing with the aftermath of a breakup. Despite its gripping premise and Jisoo’s established fame from Snowdrop , Newtopia  has struggled to gain traction. Viewership remains low, and online discussions are surprisingly quiet. So, what went wrong? Let’s explore some possible reasons behind its lack of buzz. A Thrilling Yet Overlooked Plot Newtopia  follows the story of Jae Yun ( Park Jeong Min Hellbound 2021), a 26-year-old soldier, and his girlfriend, Yeong Ju ( Jisoo ), as they fight to survive a sudden zombie outbreak in Seoul. Jae Yun, who enlisted late in hopes of securing an alternative military service, is struggling with insecurity about his future. His obsessive love for Yeong Ju leads to their breakup, but just as their relationship ends, the world is thrown into chaos. Newtopia (Credits: Coupang Play) As Jae Yun battles through hordes of zombies, he transforms from a weak, uncertain soldier into a strong leader. Meanwhile, Yeong Ju, a rookie in the workforce, initially struggles with her emotions but finds herself growing stronger as she fights to survive and reunite with Jae Yun. With its fast-paced action, emotional depth, and a fresh take on the zombie apocalypse genre, Newtopia  had all the elements of a hit. So, why isn’t it making waves? Why Is Newtopia  Struggling? Despite Jisoo’s global popularity, Newtopia  has struggled to attract viewers. One major issue is the criticism of her acting. Many have pointed out her weak delivery and lack of expression, making it difficult to connect with her character. Another factor is the oversaturation of zombie dramas. With hits like All of Us Are Dead  and Happiness , audiences may be experiencing fatigue with the genre. Newtopia (Credits: Coupang Play) Should Idols Lead K-Dramas? Jisoo’s performance has reignited debates about idols taking lead acting roles. While fan support is strong, acting requires skill and training. Should production teams prioritize experience over popularity? While idols bring a built-in fanbase, their acting skills are often scrutinized, impacting a show's success. This scenario underscores the importance of aligning casting choices with the demands of the narrative to ensure both critical and commercial success. Newtopia (Credits: Coupang Play) Where to Watch Newtopia  is available for streaming exclusively on Coupang TV and Prime Video for International fans. The drama consists of 8 episodes, with each episode running for 53 minutes. The series will conclude on March 21, 2025 , with the release of its final episode. Will Newtopia  Gain Momentum? With more episodes yet to air, Newtopia  still has a chance to turn things around. Could word-of-mouth bring in more viewers? Or will it remain one of the most underrated K-dramas of 2025? Would you give Newtopia  a chance, or do you think it’s missing something? Let’s discuss! #Newtopia #Jisoo #ParkJeongMin

Blinks celebrated the birthday of their beloved Jennie Kim !

Blackpink 's Jennie is the new face of Jacquemus! The French luxury brand featured the global K-pop superstar for their holiday "Guirland" collection with the help of a variety of four-legged friends! The cute photoshoot brought us warm vibes into this holiday weekend! Read on to see the photoshoot and behind-the-scenes content! Anything Jennie touches seems to turn into gold! Instead of the usual high-end models posing with clothing and accessories, Jacquemus and Jennie decided to showcase a very colorful array of festive silver and gold accessories with the singer posing in some holiday mini dresses! Check out this super cute behind-the-scenes video of Jennie and her furry friends! The whole concept is very unique and fun! We love the dresses and accessories that Jennie is wearing, especially the metallic silver flats! All the items are very easy to wear and bring in the holiday theme! Lastly, here's the amazing and cute trailer featuring Jennie! We could tell that this was an amazing experience for Jennie as she posted these behind-the-scenes photos on her Instagram! So what are you wearing to this year's holiday party? Which pieces from this collection caught your attention? Comment below! #jacquemusxjennie #jacquemus #jennierubyjane

Say goodbye to the old year and hello to the new one with the biggest anthems from your favorite K-pop groups! The Dojeon team has your New Year's Eve covered! This curated playlist will get you moving and grooving throughout the night and into the new year! Image: K-pop Party Playlist - Photo: https://www.kpoppost.com "Don't Say You Love Me" by Jin (BTS) The track from Jin's solo EP smashed records on Spotify, becoming the fastest K-pop song of 2025 to surpass 600 million streams! Which is why this track has made it to number one on our party playlist! If you play this hit song, it will be a guaranteed crowd pleaser this NYE, thanks to its catchy melodies and emotional resonance! "DRIP" by BABYMONSTER Next on our party playlist is one of the most-streamed 5th-generation group songs on Spotify and Melon, proving the group's surging international popularity. Actually, the hard-hitting trap beats and confident flow are perfect for the peak energy of a New Year's Eve bash, and are one track that you NEED on your playlist this party season! "JUMP" by BLACKPINK For the Dojeon team, this track had to be on the list! Thanks to its incredible streaming numbers on Spotify and YouTube since its release, it has helped secure its position in the charts as a major dance anthem! This is due to its powerful, dynamic chorus and heavy beat, which are perfect for keeping the NYE energy high for everyone!  "Rich Man" by aespa Next up is a fan-favorite track from aespa's latest comeback. This song showcases the group's sharp, high-concept sound and has been heavily streamed since its release. The track’s slick, electronic sound and confident lyrics make it essential for any futuristic party playlist, so this is a no-brainer for your NYE playlist this year! "PARADISE" by TREASURE This track proved TREASURE's immense popularity, especially globally, securing a top-tier position for views and streams in the latter half of 2025, which is why it has made it onto the Dojeon NYE playlist. This track is a rock-tinged anthem that builds to a massive, sing-along chorus, ideal for a New Year’s celebration, and for sure it will get everyone singing along!  "APT." by ROSÉ & Bruno Mars Last up on our party list is "Apt."  Its infectious, high-energy pop-rock beat makes it the perfect track to ring in the New Year. Not only that, but it was a global sensation from the moment of its release, and it became one of the most-streamed songs of the year across all platforms. Final thoughts This curated list brings together the biggest K-Pop chart hits of 2025 and early 2026, which will leave you feeling electrified during the biggest party of the year! Whatever you end up doing for New Year's Eve, if you listen to the Dojeon top picks, then you will be filled with high energy, celebratory choruses, and the best of K-Pop's latest generation! The list doesn't stop here! If you want more of our curated content, be sure to check out our other articles that'll keep you moving until the sun rises! https://www.dojeonmedia.com/post/top-5-k-dances-of-2025-that-broke-the-internet What New Year's Eve songs are on your playlist? Comment below and let us know! #KPOP #NewYearsEve #NYEPlaylist #KPOP2026 #KPOPParty #Playlist #PartyMusic #BestOfKPOP #Euphoric #Celebratory #HighEnergy #DanceAnthems

From trending dances to K-pop covers, these are the most shocking K-entertainment trends of 2025! Shocking Korean social media trends of 2025 Short form K-dramas First up on our list is K-drama marketing. Although this may not sound like a shocking trend at first, the K-drama marketing trend involves the launch of short-form mini K-drama campaigns. The idea behind this is that, since many people spend time scrolling, thanks to shorter attention spans than in the past, short-form dramas can capture K-drama fans while they simply scroll. Our writer Lewis Hooper has also starred in a short-form drama, which will be released next year, so keep an eye out! K-Drama Pop-Up Stores K-drama marketing has moved beyond passive ads to focus on immersive, physical pop-up stores that allow fans to experience the drama's universe first-hand. The Dojeon team thinks these are a great way for fans to interact directly with their favorite brands, and not only this, but the pop-up store also allows amazing photos and videos to trend on social media. This year in Seoul, we have already seen the Squid Game pop-up stores and K-pop Demon Hunters ! This trend extends the viewing cycle and sustains fan enthusiasm long after the final episode, turning the set into a real-life, limited-time destination. Real-Time Idol Livestream Live streaming is nothing new; idol and actor livestreams are transforming from casual Q&A sessions into high-conversion, interactive "shoppertainment" events for their fans. Not only this, but these live events allow fans to feel a closer connection to their favorite stars, while at times being able to interact with them without the whole entourage that comes with a regular meet and greet event. This year, we have seen BTS hold numerous livestreaming events, and JENNIE (BLACKPINK) during her viral "Like Jennie" challenge promotions earlier in the year. Global Memes Memes have become a popular way for global fans to feel connected with their favorite idols. Whether they come from dance moves and catchy melodies, such as the "Gwenchana Ding Ding" meme. Originally from a Vietnamese song which was globally cemented after being embraced and performed by popular groups like ATEEZ and NCT , proving K-pop's power as a global meme accelerator, or simple nicknames and hand actions like the iconic Korean heart shape, these memes have really taken off in 2025! The Dojeon team is excited to see which memes trend in 2026! The Virtual Idol Virtual idol groups have exploded past novelty status, becoming chart-topping forces that rival human groups in sales and digital engagement. PLAVE's "Caligo Pt. 1" shattered Melon streaming and physical sales records, signaling that the digital-only group model is now a primary competitor in K-pop. Could we see more virtual K-pop groups in 2026? Cross-Border Super Collabs The music industry is prioritizing shocking, high-profile collaborations that blend Western superstars with K-pop's top artists, often mixing genres that wouldn't traditionally align. The massive success of ROSÉ's "APT." with Bruno Mars , which fuses pop with disco-rock, set the new benchmark for global chart domination. This collaboration literally took off globally and became a household song this summer! With the interest in K-culture growing each year, which cross-border super collabs could we see in 2026? Which social media trends left you shocked this year? Comment below and let the Dojeon team know! #KPopTrends #KWave #SocialMediaMarketing #KDrama #Hallyu #KPopIdols

Is there anyone but BLACKPINK 's Jisoo that can pull off a classy model-like demeanor while dancing in Dior? With more than half a million fans waiting for her first solo premiere "Flower" from her album "Me", she did not disappoint! Let's break down Jisoo' s first solo premiere! Covered head-to-toe in Christian Dior , Jisoo wowed audiences with her epic solo debut. Her sophistication and facial features contributed to her stunning performance as she literally looked like she stepped off a movie set! With a variety of costume changes and studio backdrops, "Flower" gave off a very retro classic vibe that anyone around Jisoo would know, is her style! "Flower" is a simple, yet sophisticated sound with simple dance movements only to be topped with Jisoo 's soothing voice! Jisoo herself was covered in amazing beautiful outfits covered in flowers that shouted "Audrey Hepburn" vibes! There was only one moment where she showed strong emotion when she ripped her pearl necklace from her neck. We can feel that through this new solo adventure, we will be able to see Jisoo "bloom" and mature into the artist she wants to become. We can't wait to see her growth and maturity as a person on this journey! Let us know what you thought about the music video. Make sure to get your copy of Jisoo's "Me" album here ! #jisoo #ME #FIRSTSINGLEALBUM #YG

ARMYs and BLINKs are not passive audiences—they create content, translate lyrics, organize campaigns

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Behind the curtains and a step back from the limelight, some of our favorite K-pop idols have some unusual hobbies. We break down our favorites! Image: kpopstarz.com On stage in the mist of glamour, glitz, and outstanding performances, it comes as no surprise, that when they are not on stage in their glamourous outfits to thousands of screaming fans, K-pop idols might have some interesting passions. As we have learned over the years, the K-pop industry especially is notorious for being harsh with long hours, not much care for mental health, and being brutal with cancel culture , so hobbies are more than important for the mental well-being and personal growth for their high pressured careers. Some Korean celebrities probably do the same as us, such as cooking, playing games, and they help to "humanize" themselves as stars. BTS RM — Art Connoisseur Image: Kpoplat.com Many of you will be familiar with BTS' RM , although a fun fact about the star is that he is an art connoisseur and an art collector. Beyond his musical talents, he has a strong passion for contemporary art, and his collection is said to include pieces by renowned artists, and he is known to visit art galleries and museums during his much needed time off! BTS Jin — Master Chef Image: Kboo.com Kim Seok Jin, known as Jin from BTS, has turned his cooking hobby, into something more of a strong passion. It is said that during the pandemic, he gained popularity for his cooking videos, as he demonstrated his recipes and techniques along with his humor to his fans. BLACKPINK's Jennie — Photography Image: Allkpop.com Having an artistic eye and capturing moments, are both great skills to have for a budding photographer. Jennie is not shy of capturing her candid moments along with her daily life, which from time to time can be seen on her social media accounts. Her dreamy vintage like style photographs give fans a glimpse into her unique artistic perspective of life. BtoB's Yook Sung Jae — Fisherman Image: Soompi While many of us know BtoB's Yook Sung Jae for having powerful vocals, and various acting roles, he is also keen at spending some of his free time fishing. His passion for fishing started as a more causal affair, however it has evolved into a more professional hobby. He is often spotted with high end fishing gear, and he has even appeared on some variety shows showcasing his fishing skills. Do you have any unique hobbies? Let us know in the comments below. #hobbies #khobbies #kpop #kdrama #kentertainment

#lisacrazyhorse #blinksforblackpink #weibo #chinaban

Unpacking the most significant cancel culture controversies and the lasting impact on the K-entertainment industry of 2025! Image: 2025 Top K-scandals - Photo: https://lens.monash.edu 2025 had no shortage of K-scandals and cancelled stars. This article will focus on the year's biggest scandals and industry fallouts, which have left fans divided and groups running back to their agents! Let's take a look at Dojeon's top five! The NewJeans/ADOR vs. HYBE Legal War First up on our list is the bitter, highly public corporate dispute between HYBE and ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin , which was escalated with ongoing legal battles and mutual accusations of poor governance and creative theft. The Dojeon Team followed this journey very closely, especially when this internal conflict threatened the stability of the highly successful girl group NewJeans , as well as exposing the volatile power dynamics within Korea's largest entertainment company. The saga highlighted the lack of transparency and trust between corporate leadership and creative subsidiaries, though it eventually led to the court ruling in favor of the record label. And despite the girls' best efforts to break free, they had no choice but to see out the remaining term on their contract. Blackpink/K-Pop Cultural Appropriation Several high-profile K-Pop groups, including Blackpink , faced renewed and intense international scrutiny regarding past instances of cultural appropriation and the use of racial slurs in their content, as well as on the red carpet. The Dojeon Team wrote about these controversies at the time, which led to intense discussions and divisions between domestic and international fan bases over where the accountability, education, and sensitivity actually came from here. The incidents showcased the increasing power of global fandom to police social and ethical behavior within the industry. Having said that, the comments from some were bias and at the same time on the other hand, did the star really care, or was it the fans which blew the situation out of proportion? Actor Kim Soo-hyun's Alleged Underage Relationship Number three on our list, are the allegations which surfaced regarding Actor Kim Soo-hyun's past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae-ron , specifically concerning the significant age gap when she was reportedly a minor. This controversy sparked widespread public outrage over ethical boundaries and led to the actor losing multiple endorsements and project roles, and once the face of supermarket giant Homeplus , and other big name retailers. The actor was literally pulled from all sponsorships within a matter of days. This event triggered a massive public discussion about the legal and moral age of consent in South Korea, as well as globally thanks to social media with K-drama fans taking the lead. EXO-CBX's Contract Battle with SM Entertainment Next on the Dojeon list, is the contractual dispute between the EXO sub-unit members (Chen, Baekhyun, Xiumin) and SM Entertainment , who continued to expose deep-seated issues regarding artists' unfair profit distribution and contract duration, which sadly, seems to be all but too common in recent years. In this case, the idols sought an injunction, alleging restrictive conditions reminiscent of the long-controversial "slave contracts" of the past. This legal fight put renewed pressure on agencies to reform industry standards for artist treatment and compensation, however although it was dealt with, will it be enough to shape the industry long term? What do you think? "Under15" Show Cancellation and Child Exploitation Concerns Last on our list is a scandal, which became a house hold taboo this year. The proposed survival show , Under15 , was met with immediate and significant public backlash, resulting in its reported cancellation or indefinite postponement. The main issue here were the concerns over the physical and psychological toll the competitive environment would take on pre-teen participants, as we have already witnessed the pressure that the industry can put on adults, sadly with some of them being unable to copy and committing suicide as a result. The public sentiment highlighted a growing intolerance for what is perceived as child exploitation in the hyper-competitive K-pop training system, and to date this topic continues to be a hot potato within many Korean homes. What do you think? Which K-entertainment scandal took you by surprise this year? Comment below and let the Dojeon Team know! #CancelCulture #MediaScandals #Accountability #SocialJustice #IndustryFallout #PublicOpinion #WokeCulture #Consequence #DigitalAge #EthicalDilemmas #Reckoning #CultureWar