Jennie of BLACKPINK, who garnered global attention through the 'Cannes Film Festival', will see her acting debut in 'The Idol' draw to a premature close amidst controversies over explicit content.

According to U.S. entertainment media Deadline on June 26th (local time), "The Idol", originally intended for a six-episode run, will end prematurely after five episodes on July 2nd.

News about the production of "The Idol" Season 2 has also been circulating. However, on the 16th (local time), HBO clarified through social media: "There are false reports that the production of 'The Idol' Season 2 has been confirmed, but this is not true. We look forward to the next episode airing on Sunday night."

Despite this, the U.S. entertainment media Page Six quoted an HBO official saying, "The possibility of producing Season 2 is open, but nothing has been decided."

'The Idol' is a drama set in Los Angeles, USA, depicting the love and passion unfolding in the entertainment world involving a popular pop idol star. The show, starring Lily-Rose Melody Depp, known as Johnny Depp's daughter, along with The Weeknd, Troy Sivan, and marking Jennie's acting debut, had drawn significant attention. In the series, Jennie plays the role of Dianne, a friend and backup dancer of Jocelyn, played by Lily-Rose Melody Depp.

According to records, 'The Idol', which attracted 3.6 million viewers in its first week, was a hot topic in the local scene, breaking the record of 'Euphoria', which had 3.3 million viewers in the same period. However, it is reported that the ratings for the second episode dropped slightly.

In South Korea, there have been ongoing controversies about the explicit nature of the scenes in 'The Idol' featuring Jennie. In the first episode, Jennie appeared in a scene shooting a music video with other dancers. In this scene, Jennie performed provocative dances and expressions with the male dancers, suggestive of sexual acts.

In the second episode, Jennie added fuel to the controversy by asking The Weeknd, "Does he do sex better than me?" In the third episode, Jennie, who danced in the music video center instead of Jocelyn, wore a costume that covered only part of her chest, and the location of a male dancer's hand towards Jennie's main area also became controversial.

As a result, Jennie's acting debut, 'The Idol', ended up being labeled to the point of calling it 'The Porno'. It leaves us wondering whether Jennie knew that she would be consumed with a provocative image through 'The Idol'.

Prior to this, Rolling Stone, a U.S. entertainment media outlet, reported in March, "In 2022, when 'The Idol' was produced, it was directed by female director Amy Seimetz. However, when The Weeknd, who was in charge of the script and production, suggested that the drama was becoming too feminine, the director was replaced with Sam Levinson."

The production team of 'The Idol' claimed that the original script, which contained the struggle of the protagonist trying to regain her agency while becoming a victim of the music industry, was repeatedly revised after the director's replacement, and there were noticeably more sexual scenes.

Jennie joined after Sam Levinson replaced the director in July last year. At that time, her agency YG Entertainment said, "Jennie's role in 'The Idol' is not as controversial as it is now. The character Dianne was a passionate dancer who pursues her dreams, and Jennie was attracted to her character because she identified with it."

However, with the script revisions and the significant shift in tone, Dianne's character transformed into one engaged in more provocative acts and dialogues. This transformation sparked the ongoing debate over the explicit content featuring Jennie, and even led to the show receiving a derogatory nickname, 'The Porno'.

Furthermore, Jennie's acting skills have been put under the microscope. While her star-power drew audiences, the K-Pop idol's first venture into acting was met with mixed reviews. Some critics praised her efforts, noting her unique charm and chemistry with co-stars. However, others noted that her acting lacked depth and consistency, with some scenes feeling awkward and forced.

In South Korea, the negative critiques of Jennie's performance quickly overshadowed her achievement as the first K-Pop idol to star in an HBO drama. Her portrayal of Dianne has sparked debate over the quality of acting expected from idols transitioning into the world of acting, and it has further fueled discussions about the need for proper training and preparation before venturing into new artistic fields.

Despite the controversies and premature ending, 'The Idol' made its mark in the entertainment world. Its exploration of the darker side of the music industry, combined with its star-studded cast, captured global attention. However, the critiques and controversies surrounding the series have left its future uncertain.

While HBO hasn't officially cancelled the series, the network's ambiguous response regarding the possibility of a second season indicates that the future of 'The Idol' hangs in the balance. Amidst these uncertainties, fans and critics alike wait with bated breath to see what will become of this controversy-laden series.

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