JENNIE Blasted After Festival Performances

BLACKPINK’s JENNIE sparked a polarized debate on social media following her headlining performances at the Open’er Festival in Poland on July 4 and the Mad Cool Festival in Madrid on July 9, 2026. While fans celebrated her historic festival run, critics targeted her stage wardrobe, leading to a public clash over artistic expression and body shaming.

European Festival Circuit and Unreleased Music

JENNIE’s recent presence at major European festivals marked a significant pivot in her solo career. On July 4, she headlined the final night of the Open’er Festival in Gdynia, Poland, performing a 17-track set that excluded any BLACKPINK songs. The performance served as a platform to showcase her upcoming musical direction, featuring three unreleased tracks: the dance-pop song “Lock It Down,” which she described as being about a “secret love affair” and first previewed at Governors Ball; “Heaven,” an emotionally-charged song about heartbreak; and “Less Than A Lover,” a dreamy ballad. Regarding the latter, JENNIE explained, It’s a song I wrote thinking about summer. It feels really special to share new music with this many people. She added, “I really can’t wait to share this new music with you soon.”

JENNIE – Dracula + like JENNIE (live at Open'er Festival 2026 | Poland)

Following the Polish performance, she continued her festival tour at the Mad Cool Festival in Madrid on July 9. This appearance established her as the first K-Pop idol to headline the prestigious Spanish event. Her set, which lasted nearly an hour, drew from her 2025 debut solo album Ruby, alongside her collaboration with Tame Impala, “Dracula,” and her collaboration with The Weeknd, “One of the Girls.” JENNIE has been on one of the most sustained chart runs of any K-pop solo artist in Billboard history.

Public Backlash Over Stage Wardrobe

Despite the critical success of her live sets, JENNIE faced intense scrutiny regarding her choice of stage attire. During the European tour, she opted for bold ensembles, including a lilac-and-gold set, and a gold corset-like top paired with gold shorts and a chunky belt. In other appearances, she wore a bold top reminiscent of underwear matched with low-rise hot pants, proudly revealing her underwear line. To maximize the wild and hip mood, she was also seen wearing a vintage fur jacket, while in other photos, she paired a ball cap and sunglasses to create a “rock star-like atmosphere.”

The reaction on social media platforms and community boards was sharply divided. While many fans were “blown away” by her visuals and stage control, she also received scathing comments regarding skin exposure. Some detractors engaged in body shaming, with comments including, “A body like a kid…” and “Why does she keep dressing like that?”

Concurrent Developments for BLACKPINK

As JENNIE navigated her solo festival circuit, her fellow BLACKPINK member Jisoo also made headlines for her work in the entertainment industry. On March 10, 2026, it was announced that Jisoo would receive the “Madame Figaro Rising Star Award” at the Canneseries festival, held in Cannes from April 23-28. The award is intended for emerging talents who have become influential figures in the industry, and Jisoo was scheduled to accept the honor at the festival’s opening ceremony on April 23. This recognition places her alongside past recipients such as Sydney Sweeney, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Ella Purnell.

However, this accolade followed backlash regarding Jisoo’s acting performance in the Netflix K-drama Boyfriend on Demand, in which she stars as the lead. The show drew criticism from both Korean and international viewers, particularly following a crying scene that sparked a viral video and scathing commentary online.

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