Blackpink’s Jennie recently released the music video for her solo track ‘ZEN,’ and while it has been met with widespread acclaim for its artistic direction and Jennie’s powerful aura, a small segment of internet users has raised concerns about potential similarities with XG’s ‘Howling’ music video. The internet is divided, and here’s what they have to say. Read on!
Is BLACKPINK Jennie’s ‘Zen’ Music Video Same As XG’s ‘Howling?’
The music videos of ‘Zen’ and ‘Howling’ share a distinct visual aesthetic and are directed by Cho Gi-Seok. It is a blend of dark, ethereal elements with a touch of Japanese-inspired imagery. From striking visuals to the focus on visual storytelling, both the videos have everything! The internet has noted several similarities between the two videos. Some users stated that certain camera angles and visual motifs are allegedly similar. One user on X (former Twitter) wrote, “Ngl.. while watching zen i was constantly reminded of howling… and yeah cho gi seok is amazing and all and maybe thats his trademark but its just same concept for everything and its kinda tiring.. either he needs to broaden his horizon or we need more creative directors!”
While another user wrote, “This has been my gripe with cho giseok for a while now he just rehashes the same ideas with different artists. A lot of the time it doesn’t even look good and comes across as tacky/kitschy. Both of those things aren’t bad, but they’re obviously not the intention..”Well, despite the controversy, both the music videos received immense praise from viewers.