BLACKPINK Pre-Debut Videos Reveal Racial Slur Usage, Defended by Koreans but Slammed by International Fans?
Recently, multiple videos were uploaded to a YouTube channel named Kim Mi Hyun Productions, reportedly showing pre-debut footage of BLACKPINK members under YG Entertainment. The leaked clips, which appear to be internal evaluation recordings, feature the trainees performing covers of well-known songs prior to their official debut in 2016.
While the leaks have sparked widespread interest from fans and the general public, particular attention has been drawn to the use of the N-word in several of the song covers. Viewers noted that members Jennie, Lisa, and Rosé were featured in some of the videos using the racial slur during performances of English-language rap songs.
This isn’t the first time K-Pop idols have come under fire for cultural insensitivity, particularly involving the use of racial slurs or appropriating Black culture. In this case, fans of the group are scrambling to defend the member, claiming, “She was young and didn’t know what it meant,” while others call for a formal apology. Others argued that, especially for Jennie and Rosé, who grew up in English-speaking environments, there should have been more awareness and sensitivity.
Additionally, suspicions have surfaced about whether the footage could have been manipulated or AI-generated, though no clear evidence has been provided.
On the other hand, Korean netizens seem to have reached a general consensus to defend BLACKPINK, leaving comments such as, “What’s the point of making the song if you’re going to slam people for singing along?”, “Ah, they are attacking Jennie out of nowhere again”, and “So Black people are banning others from singing songs with the N-word? It’s not like BLACKPINK wrote the lyrics, people are just looking for a reason to hate on them”.
As of now, YG Entertainment has not released any official statement regarding the legitimacy of the leaked footage or the use of offensive language within it. Additionally, discussions around idols and their accountability when it comes to cultural awareness continue to resurface time and time again, especially as K-Pop becomes more global.
Do you think this video was misunderstood—or is it time for idols to take responsibility?
