A former YG Entertainment employee has allegedly leaked K-pop-related content, including that of BLACKPINK. Among this is a pre-debut video of Jennie, Ros¨¦, and Lisa using a racial slur ¨C the N-word ¨C which has gone viral across social media, sparking major backlash against the three members of the four-piece group.
Over the weekend, a user named 'YG Leaker' started a Discord channel to allegedly expose mobbing, racism and sexism in the K-pop industry after getting fired. The user claimed to have data worth terabytes against the BIG 3 ¨C YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and SM Entertainment ¨C and other K-pop juggernauts, including Cube Entertainment, HYBE Labels, WM Entertainment, and Starshop Entertainment.
Notably, the self-proclaimed former YG Entertainment employee, known as Gurumi, has come forward claiming to be the infamous "leaker" who previously exposed Jennie and V's relationship. They allege that YG Entertainment sent them a cease and desist letter. While some fans are sceptical, one shocking BLACKPINK allegation is gaining traction and going viral on social media.
Of the data released about content so far, BLACKPINK members Jennie, Ros¨¦, and Lisa's videos saying the N-word have spread like wildfire, with many netizens demanding the girl group extend an apology for their past remarks.
The videos in question expose the trio singing the N-word during what is alleged to be their pre-debut audition.
Videos of the BLACKPINK members (except Jisoo) using the racial slur have divided the internet, as many argue they're from before the group's 2016 debut, when they were teenagers. Some fans are defending them, noting the age and context ¨C the word was used in song covers, not casually. However, some have also highlighted that the usage of the N-word has been contentious for decades now, and the girls must come forward and take accountability for their actions.
One X user commented, "This BlackPink situation with them using the N-word and being racist is exactly why I don¡¯t want Black Women anywhere near them for collabs..."
Another user slammed BLACKPINK stans for defending the members, writing, "These are the same fans that will cancel others for this but will defend their favourites with their LIVES for doing the same thing. A bunch of virtue-signalling, immature hypocrites with no grasp of reality."
"Someone tag Bruno, Doechi and Tyla; this is sooooo wrong," a third user wrote.
"Also, Black people in the comments saying I'm Black and not offended... ok, good for you. Don't speak for all Black people; if you're Black and offended, you have every right to be," wrote another user.
However, one section of the internet also jumped in their defence, stating the girls were minors back then and it's the company that should be held accountable for their actions.
One user wrote, "They were minors at that time! The one that should be blamed is the agency for allowing them to sing that part! For sure, before they sang those songs, the agency listened to those first. And it¡®s been 10 years; why are they releasing these now??"
"They were singing the exact lyrics of the original songs. It¡¯s not like they themselves inserted the words there! Perhaps the exercise was to sing such without flinching or feeling conscious about the sensitive words¡ who knows? It¡¯s not a big deal. They were in training," another commented.
A third argued, "Bro, they were like 14 or 15 years old; they were in the evaluations, they were given a song, and they sang it separately. It's an old video from when they didn't even know they were going to debut as Blackpink, so this attempt at a "hate wave" is unnecessary."
"With them growing up in Asia, I highly doubt they were even aware of the N-word being a slur," mentioned another user.
?What's your take on this situation? Do you think the BLACKPINK members should issue an apology, or should their agency take responsibility? Share your thoughts!
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