BLACKPINK’s Jennie unexpectedly found herself at the center of an online debate after a short clip from the Melon Music Awards (MMA) began circulating on social media and online communities.
The short video shows Jennie calmly watching highlights of BTS’ speech appear on the screen before the award announcement. Throughout the moment, Jennie maintains a neutral expression, which quickly becomes a topic of discussion among netizens.
Some viewers interpreted her lack of visible reaction negatively, claiming that she appeared “bitter” or jealous. Comments like “She looks so angry” and “She doesn’t even try to hide how bitter she is” spread quickly, fueling speculation that Jennie was unhappy to see BTS getting attention at the ceremony.
However, many fans quickly came to her defense, claiming that a composed or neutral facial expression does not equate to negative emotions. Supporters have pointed out that idols are often filmed without context and that reading intent into a few seconds of footage is unfair and misleading.
Others have also noted that awards shows are long events and idols often appear tired, focused, or simply attentive rather than expressive at all times.
This year’s Melon Music Awards featured numerous noteworthy moments, including highly anticipated performances from G-Dragon, Jennie, EXO and aespa, as well as numerous major award wins. In comparison, Jennie’s brief reaction on camera was just a fleeting moment during an otherwise eventful night.
Despite its banal nature, the clip reignited ongoing discussions about how female idols, in particular, are scrutinized for their expressions and body language at public events.
As always, interpretations remain divided, with fans urging others to avoid overanalyzing short clips taken out of context. Meanwhile, Jennie continues to receive praise for her performance and presence at the ceremony, despite the controversy.
Sources: Koreaboo
