BLACKPINK’s JENNIE walked into Hot Ones with confidence and charm, but by wing number eight, she was crying for help, sprinting laps around the set, and begging for mercy from the fiery sauces she once underestimated.
The K-pop superstar made her debut on the viral YouTube interview series on June 19, facing host Sean Evans and the show’s notoriously escalating line-up of spicy chicken wings. Early in the episode, JENNIE admitted she doesn’t handle spice well: “In my daily life, I have nothing — no spice in my life. I don’t like spicy food or anything to with spice. If anything, I like things plain.” But determined to challenge herself (and perhaps earn some bragging rights), she dove in.
At first, JENNIE seemed unfazed, even poking fun at Evans, saying she was “kind of disappointed” by the heat level. But the turning point came with the infamous Da’ Bomb hot sauce. That’s when the meltdown began… literally. The 29-year-old singer and rapper gasped, cried out, and grabbed for milk and ice cream while fanning her face with napkins. “I can’t hear anymore,” she exclaimed, forcing a shaky smile through the pain. “God, help me!” She even ran around the table mid-interview dramatically to escape the blaze on her tongue.
Throughout the spice-induced chaos, JENNIE still managed to open up about her debut solo album RUBY, her skin care routines, her love for her fans singing her lyrics live, and even her pet hamster. But her suffering was impossible to miss, and also, for many fans, endearing and wildly entertaining. “She was scammed by LISA and ROSÉ’s chill reactions,” one fan joked online, referencing her bandmates’ previous appearances on the show. “She’s fighting for her life,” another wrote, as clips of the episode quickly went viral.
Despite the agony, JENNIE made it through all ten wings, becoming the third BLACKPINK member to complete the challenge. And she had one thing to say about the last member left to face the heat: “100% JISOO should come on because she’s the one who taught me spicy, and she’s the other you. Like she made me eat spicy food with her. Ever since we were trainees. So, I think [Jisoo] should come on this show. You’re gonna love it,” she tells Evans. Reflecting on her bandmates’ appearances, she added, “Whatever ROSÉ and LISA did, this is the real reaction. Because I watched their episode and they were so chill about it so I was like if they’re doing it, maybe I can do it too. But I can’t!”
While JENNIE’s teary-eyed struggle earned laughs and sympathy from fans, it also drew unwarranted online criticism, with some netizens accusing her of overacting or being “cringe.” But in true fandom fashion, her supporters swiftly clapped back, defending her raw, hilarious honesty and the emotional rollercoaster she brought to the table. Love her or not, JENNIE’s Hot Ones episode has become one of the most talked-about installments of the series — proof that spice, laughter, and a little chaos make for one unforgettable watch.
Watch JENNIE’s full Hot Ones episode now — and maybe keep some ice cream nearby!
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