A recent episode of the "Above the Influence" podcast has ignited a firestorm of controversy, drawing the ire of K-pop fans worldwide. The episode featured shocking and unsubstantiated allegations against two of South Korea's most beloved and prominent stars: Jennie of BLACKPINK and solo artist IU. The podcast hosts made claims suggesting that these idols were involved in "paid sponsorship meetings," with one host even quoting a specific price for a night with IU. These allegations have been met with fierce condemnation from fans, who are demanding legal action against the podcasters for defamation and the spread of harmful rumors.
The controversy stems from a clip from a past episode of the "Above the Influence Show" podcast. The clip quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking intense online debate and outrage. One of the most inflammatory claims involved Jennie, with a co-host alleging that he had heard a story about Jennie being paid by the son of a BMW heir for sexual favors, even claiming the existence of a video. Adding fuel to the fire, the other host, who identified herself as a former girlfriend of BIGBANG's T.O.P, made sweeping statements about prostitution within the K-pop industry, implicating even top-tier idols like IU. She went on to state an alleged price of £400,000 (₹4.2 crore) for a night with IU. No evidence was provided to support these claims.
Fans immediately rallied to defend Jennie and IU, flooding social media with messages of support and calls for accountability. They urged the idols' respective agencies, YG Entertainment and EDAM Entertainment, to take swift and decisive legal action against the podcast hosts. Many fans emphasized the severe consequences of spreading baseless accusations, particularly in South Korea, where defamation laws are stringent.
In response to the backlash, the podcast hosts issued statements addressing the controversy. Michelle Kira Lee claimed that the viral clip was "edited out of context" and did not accurately reflect her beliefs or intentions. Wootak stated that he was merely "telling a story [he] heard" and did not intend to attack Jennie. However, these apologies have been largely dismissed by fans, who view them as insincere attempts to evade responsibility. Critics point out that repeating serious and damaging allegations based on hearsay, especially without verification, is irresponsible and harmful, regardless of intent.
The podcast's official Instagram account also released a statement, claiming that the controversial discussion was initially intended as bonus content for paid subscribers and was not meant for wide distribution. They expressed regret for repeating gossip that could potentially harm Jennie and promised to exercise greater caution in the future. However, this explanation has done little to quell the outrage, with many fans remaining unconvinced of the hosts' sincerity.
The situation highlights the dark side of the K-pop industry and the vulnerability of its stars to malicious rumors and online attacks. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the need for greater protection of K-pop idols from defamation and the importance of responsible reporting in the digital age. As of today, neither YG Entertainment nor EDAM Entertainment has issued an official statement regarding the matter, but fans continue to demand action and accountability for the damaging claims made against Jennie and IU.
