Love or Mistake

Hiatus

Time skip to October 2020

Jennie's journey during and after 2019 was nothing short of challenging. After Blackpink’s intense touring schedule and constant media attention, the group decided to go on a hiatus, taking a much-needed break from the spotlight. But for Jennie, the emotional weight of the past few years still lingered heavily.

In 2019, she was unfairly labeled the "most hated idol" of the year. The relentless hate she received from both netizens and critics changed something in her. Fans who once adored her bubbly and playful personality noticed she had become more distant. She was no longer the "cute Nini" that Blinks had grown to love. Though she continued to show up to events, concerts, and interviews, her once radiant smile seemed forced, a mask to cover up the pain she carried inside.

She worked tirelessly to maintain her professionalism, putting on a brave face for her fans. But no matter how hard she tried, everyone could tell that behind the glamorous outfits and dazzling performances, she was struggling. Her Instagram posts became less frequent, and her presence in front of cameras was noticeably more reserved. What used to be lighthearted banter during V-Lives or fan meets became short and polite responses.

For three years straight, She bore the brunt of public scrutiny. Haters found any reason to attack her—calling her lazy when she didn’t dance as energetically as others during rehearsals or performances, or hurling derogatory names at her, labeling her as a "slut" or "b!tch" for no reason other than jealousy and insecurity. They accused her of trying to "seduce" their favorite idols, twisting any interaction she had with male celebrities into something malicious. Even the smallest mistakes, like a tired expression during a fan meet, would spark waves of hateful comments online.

She had her fair share of silent battles, crying alone after late-night rehearsals, wondering if she was truly at fault or if it was just the price of fame. Her close circle, including her bandmates, saw the toll it took on her. But despite their support, she often felt like the weight of the world rested solely on her shoulders.

Though the hiatus was meant to be a break, for her, it was a period of deep reflection and emotional healing. As the group took time away from the public eye, She focused on herself—rediscovering the joy in small, private moments that had once been overshadowed by her intense career. Slowly, she began to rebuild her confidence, although the scars from years of hatred remained a part of her.

Kakao

Nini: Congratulations for ranking No.7 in the most handsome faces this year!

Tae Tae:* laughs *Thank you so much. I wasn’t even expecting it this time! How are you feeling today? I heard you guys went on hiatus. For how long?

Nini: Honestly, I don’t even know how long it’s going to be. We haven’t been informed about anything yet. It’s like... we’re all just waiting around in the dark.

Tae Tae: That’s not so bad, though, right? You could use the break. Enjoy some time for yourself, just... breathe for a bit. You’ve been running nonstop for years. So, how are you planning to spend your ‘vacation’?

Nini: *sighs* Right now, all I want to do is lay on my bed forever and just shut the world out. My body feels like it’s been running on empty for so long.

Tae Tae: I get that. You’ve really been through a lot. But hey, you deserve the rest. Use this time to recharge. Speaking of which, me and the guys saw your last performance before the hiatus—it was incredible. You killed it as usual!

Nini: *smiles faintly* Thanks, oppa. Actually, me and the girls saw your virtual performance too, and we were completely blown away. One million views during a live stream?! That's insane. You guys really deserve the title of the most popular boy group. I’m so proud of all of you.