"Squid Game" fame has put BLACKPINK's Jennie in a new height with her connection to its cast members. The rapper is not only friends with HoYeon Jung; Lee Jung-jae also has something to do with the origin of her name.
When Jennie graced the JTBC show "Knowing Bros" last year, she revealed Jung-jae, who played the lead role of Seong Gi-hun in "Squid Game," is the inspiration behind her name. The BLACKPINK member said her mom is a big fan of the 48-year-old South Korean actor, who played the role of Jae Hee in the drama "Sandglass" before she was born.
Her mom decided that if she had a son, she would name him Jaehee, AllKpop noted. However, she gave birth to a daughter instead, so she called her Jennie, which was close to the sound of Jaehee.
So, when "SOLO" hitmaker met Jung-jae in person, she told him the story behind her name. As a fan of BLACKPINK himself, the former model felt happy to hear his idol's mother is his fan.
In an interview in September, Jung-jae revealed he became a fan of the girl group in an instant when he saw the preview of "BLACKPINK: Light Up the Sky." At the time, he realized the K-pop idols were created and became the world's No. 1 girl group through "the fierce competition" through their hard work.
Meanwhile, aside from Jung-jae, Jennie is also connected to the hit Netflix drama, "Squid Game," through HoYeon . The two are the closest of friends and the "Korea's Next Top Model" second-placed told Vogue that they became close after they met at the Paris Fashion Week.
Known as the human Chanel, she watched the brand's show and they met through Jennie's stylist, who knew them both. After they coincidentally came across, they were introduced to each other.
From here, HoYeon attended her concert in New York and started to hang out. They also bonded over food in South Korea and would usually have meals together.
HoYeon added she and Jennie perfectly get along well because they are in the same age bracket. They, too, both work in the entertainment industry, so they truly understand each other.
So, when they get reunited at the 10th annual LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles over the weekend, fans cannot help but get excited, per IBTimes. Fans even celebrate their reunion after Jennie and HoYeon share their photo together.
