Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Filipino fan puts billboard ad to get BLACKPINK Jennie's attention
Seen is the billboard ad made by Filipino businessman Christian Albert Gaza on top of a building near the YG Entertainment in Yongsan District, Seoul, asking BLACKPINK member Jennie for a dinner. Captured from Christian Albert Gaza's Facebook
By Lee Hae-rin
By Lee Hae-rin
A Filipino social media influencer has put up a billboard ad near YG Entertainment building in Yongsan District, Seoul, to get BLACKPINK member Jennie's attention.
Christian Albert Gaza, also known as Xian Gaza, 28, had several pictures posted of the billboard, which he installed because he “didn't have any other way to reach Jennie,” according to his post on Facebook, Sept. 30.
The advertisement contains a picture of Gaza dressed in a suit and reads, “Kim Jennie Ruby Jane, you are my ultimate crush. Can I take you out to dinner and make me the happiest man alive?” in Korean and English.
The ad, which Gaza claims cost 1.5 million Philippine pesos ($29,750), is installed on top of a five-story building near the agency's office.
Although putting up an ad for celebrities and K-pop stars is common in the fandom culture in Korea, BLACKPINK fans and internet users are critical about this one. Many point out that the ad is “creepy” and “obsessive” for displaying the person who put it up and coercing a star to an individual meeting, in posts with relevant hashtags #protectjennie and #leavejenniealone.
In response to fans' criticism, Gaza wrote in a reply to his own Facebook, Thursday: “Same thing with your balloons, flowers and other stuffs. It's just the same thing. The only difference is that you can't afford a house and lot gift.”
Previously in 2018, Gaza put a similar ad in Manila asking for a coffee date to a Filipino actress Erich Gonzales. In the ad he wrote: “I can't even espresso how much I like you a latte. Will you drink coffee with me?” But the actress turned him down.