"The Idol," an American drama that garnered attention with Black Pink's Jenny, concluded its season due to poor ratings.
According to entertainment media outlets Variety and Hollywood Reporter on the 29th (local time), HBO and the producers decided not to proceed with the second season of "The Idol." They expressed gratitude towards the producers, cast, and staff for their remarkable work.
Earlier, Season 1 concluded on July 2 with a five-part series, which was shorter than the originally planned six-part series.
Initially, the production crew and cast were aware that several seasons would be produced. However, discussions about a sequel production persisted until recently. Eventually, the decision to end the show was reached amidst negative reviews, as reported by U.S. media.
The drama starred and was produced by the globally renowned pop star Weekend (real name Abel Tesfaye). It garnered attention in the United States due to being directed and produced by Sam Levinson, known for the popular drama "Euphoria."
In Korea, the drama created a buzz as it marked Jenny's acting debut. When the drama was invited to the non-competitive section of the Cannes Film Festival in May, Jenny participated in promotional events such as previews and red carpet appearances, garnering the spotlight.
However, foreign media criticized the drama immediately after its debut at the Cannes Film Festival.
While the intention was to explore the intricate relationship between pop idol stars and the cultural industry, it faced criticism for being misogynistic due to its overly explicit and male-centered sexual depictions. Variety also labeled it as "an unsightly male fantasy."
The viewers' response was not favorable either.
Although approximately 3.6 million people watched the show within a week of its premiere on HBO on June 4, reports indicated a decline in ratings since then.
HBO stated that the total number of viewers for the first episode reached 7 million so far, but they did not disclose the figures for the remaining four episodes.
As of today, the freshness index on Rotten Tomatoes, a U.S. movie and drama information site, stands at 19% (out of 100%), with viewer ratings being notably low.
Additionally, criticisms arose about Jenny's limited screen time compared to expectations upon the drama's initial release. Jenny appeared for approximately five minutes per episode, leading to disappointment as her role seemed to be "akin to a special appearance."
Exploring the Highs and Lows of a Drama Starring Black Pink’s Jenny and Its Struggles with Misogyny Critiques
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