Jennie, a member of South Korean K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, shared a series of playful backstage photos after a surprise performance with Canadian pop superstar Abel Tesfaye, better known by his stage name The Weeknd. One photo showed her raising both middle fingers at the camera, capturing a mischievous moment after reuniting with an artist she had admired for 8 years.
The reunion took place Oct. 8 at Goyang Stadium, near Seoul, where Jennie joined The Weeknd to perform “One of the Girls.” The song originated from HBO’s 2023 drama “The Idol,” which The Weeknd co-created and starred in. Jennie also appeared in the American television series, making her acting debut and establishing a professional connection with the Canadian singer.
Their latest performance brought that collaboration back to the stage amid strong demand for international pop concerts in South Korea. The Weeknd sold all 108,000 available tickets across his Oct. 7 and 8 shows, with Jennie appearing as a surprise guest on the second night.
The performance carried particular significance for Jennie, who had attended The Weeknd’s first South Korean concert 8 years earlier as a fan. Since then, she has expanded her career beyond BLACKPINK through solo music, acting and international collaborations. Her latest appearance placed her alongside the artist she once watched from the audience.
But the celebration did not end when the concert was over.
On Oct. 10, Jennie shared several behind the scenes photos on Instagram, thanking The Weeknd for inviting her to perform. She affectionately called him “Jumal oppa,” a playful Korean nickname that translates his stage name into the Korean word for weekend and adds a familiar term women use to address older men.
Wearing a sheer purple leopard print bodysuit, Jennie posed for several photos that captured a more playful side of her personality.
In one image, she raised both middle fingers while pouting her lips, with a purple devil emoji placed above her head. Although the gesture is generally considered offensive, the photo appeared to be a lighthearted pose rather than an insult directed at anyone.
The candid images contrasted with Jennie’s polished stage appearance, offering fans a glimpse of her personality away from the spotlight.
Her reunion with The Weeknd also marked another milestone in a career that has increasingly connected K-pop with the American entertainment industry. What began with Jennie attending his concert as a fan eventually led to an HBO television appearance, a musical collaboration and a shared stadium performance.
This time, Jennie was no longer watching The Weeknd from the crowd. She was performing alongside him.
