The globally popular K-pop girl group BLACKPINK's member, Jennie, who has been enjoying peak popularity, faced a setback with her acting debut in the HBO drama "The Idol." Initially planned as a serialized drama, it has been decided not to continue after its first season.
According to U.S. entertainment media Variety and other international outlets on August 29 (local time), HBO and the production team of "The Idol" have decided not to produce a second season.
An HBO representative told Variety, "After much consideration, we've decided not to continue with a second season of 'The Idol.' We are grateful to the producers and cast for their excellent work."
"The Idol" was a drama produced by Canadian pop star The Weeknd (real name: Abel Tesfaye) and revolved around the relationships surrounding an emerging pop idol and the world of the music industry.
With a stellar cast including Jennie, The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp (French-American actress, model, and daughter of Hollywood star Johnny Depp), and South African-born Australian singer-songwriter Troye Sivan, the drama garnered significant attention. The direction was helmed by Sam Levinson, known for the HBO drama "Euphoria."
BLACKPINK Jennie Faces Backlash Over 'The Idol': HBO Drama Ends After One Season Amid Controversy
Jennie's participation, in particular, drew explosive interest from global K-pop fans. In "The Idol," Jennie played the role of backup dancer Diane. Although her screen time was limited, she received praise for her decent acting. In May, she also participated in the red carpet event for "The Idol" screening at the "76th Cannes International Film Festival."
However, the drama faced criticism for its explicit content, and Jennie couldn't escape the backlash. Scenes depicting intimate moments between characters Joselyn (played by Lily-Rose Depp) and Ted Ross (played by The Weeknd) stirred controversy for their explicit nature. Jennie's appearance in some of these scenes drew criticism. Some accused the production team of exploiting Jennie's image and using her for "noise marketing."
The end result was anticlimactic. Although it was initially known as a serialized drama when it ended last month, it disappeared after just one season. Reports suggest that the decision to cancel season 2 was due to harsh criticism of the drama's content and low viewership ratings.
Originally planned as a six-episode series for season 1, "The Idol" was reduced to five episodes. The reasons for the early termination were not specifically disclosed by the 'The Idol' team.
