Explosive Podcast Claims About IU & Jennie Spark Outrage: K-Pop Fans Demand Accountability

The K-pop world is no stranger to controversy, but a recent resurfaced podcast clip has ignited one of the most heated debates in months. A short video from a past episode of the podcast ABOVE the Influence Show went viral on May 28, featuring the hosts making serious, unverified claims about IU and BLACKPINK's Jennie—two of the most beloved figures in South Korean entertainment.

The clip, initially available behind a paywall as a “Bonus Clip” three months ago, rapidly made its way across social media platforms, drawing outrage from both domestic and international K-pop fans. The hosts, Michelle Kira Lee and Wootak Kim, discussed alleged “paid sponsorship meetings” involving Korean celebrities and wealthy individuals—particularly Chinese businessmen—with alarming specificity and explicit language.

🚨 The Claims That Sparked the Controversy

In the viral clip, Michelle is heard saying,

“All the K-pop stars in Korea are whres, all the Korean actresses are whres... Apparently, every Korean celebrity/actress has a price tag on their head. And if you're rich enough, like a Chinese businessman, you can go to these entertainment companies and request to spend a night even with the top K-Pop stars. Even IU, $500,000 a night.”

Following this shocking statement, Wootak adds to the narrative by claiming:

“My friend, whom I went to some summer camp with, is the son of a BMW heir. And he f*ed Jennie from BLACKPINK… He paid for her and has a s video. He showed me this s** video. That’s how I know it was real.”

Wootak later clarified he had not seen the video himself and was simply quoting a female acquaintance who told him the story. Nonetheless, the damage was already done.

💬 Fan Backlash and Outrage

IU and Jennie’s fanbases are known for their loyalty and fierce defense of their idols. The moment the clip began circulating online, both fandoms united in calling out the hosts for spreading slanderous and damaging content. The outrage wasn't just limited to fans—it extended to casual observers, industry professionals, and media watchdogs.

Social media was flooded with demands for the podcast to be taken down and for both hosts to face legal consequences for defamation. Hashtags like #ProtectIU, #ApologizeToJennie, and #PodcastDefamation began trending on platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.

The situation escalated further when some users began tagging YG Entertainment and EDAM Entertainment (the respective agencies of Jennie and IU) to take legal action. Many pointed out that these baseless accusations can lead to real-world consequences, including mental health issues for the idols involved, public perception damage, and unwarranted media speculation.

📝 The Hosts Respond

Following the public backlash, both Michelle and Wootak issued individual statements attempting to clarify their positions.

Michelle took to her Instagram to post:

“I want to take a moment to directly address the viral clip circulating online and the rumors that have followed… The circulating video is edited out of context and does not reflect my beliefs, intentions, or values.”

She insisted that the content was misinterpreted and emphasized that she was merely echoing a sentiment she had heard, not making a factual claim.

Wootak also issued a response via Instagram Stories, saying:

“All you K-pop stans freaking out right now, get your facts straight. I am not hating or attacking Jennie, simply telling a story I HEARD. It was not bashing but simply repeating it because the topic was how dark the K-pop industry can be.”

While both tried to frame their statements as commentary on the darker sides of the entertainment industry, fans weren’t buying it. Instead of calming the storm, their responses were viewed by many as tone-deaf and dismissive.

📣 The Bigger Picture: Industry and Media Ethics

This incident has opened a broader conversation about the responsibility of content creators and the ethical line between commentary and defamation. In the age of virality, misinformation can spread like wildfire, and the reputational damage it causes can be irreversible—even if later proven false.

Legal experts in South Korea have also weighed in, stating that while freedom of speech is protected, knowingly spreading unverified claims about real individuals—especially public figures—can be grounds for defamation lawsuits.

Some Korean netizens are now urging regulatory authorities to monitor podcast and influencer platforms more closely, to ensure harmful content doesn’t pass under the guise of “entertainment.”

🔍 Agencies Yet to Respond Officially

As of now, neither IU’s agency (EDAM Entertainment) nor BLACKPINK’s Jennie’s team (YG Entertainment or her new label under THE BLACK LABEL) has released an official statement. However, fans are actively demanding that both agencies pursue legal action to protect their artists from further harm.

Many believe that letting this incident slide could set a dangerous precedent for how easily celebrities can become targets of unfounded rumors, especially when no verification or evidence is presented.

🧠 The Psychological Toll on Idols

This isn’t the first time Korean celebrities have faced mental health battles due to baseless rumors and malicious online attacks. Past tragedies in the K-pop industry, including the deaths of artists like Sulli and Goo Hara, have made the public more aware of the toll cyberbullying and defamation can take.

It’s this awareness that further fueled the anger of IU and Jennie’s fans. To them, this wasn’t just an outrageous podcast conversation—it was a potential trigger for the same damaging cycle of harassment and emotional harm that the industry is still healing from.