Jisoo of BLACKPINK is scheduled to receive the prestigious Madame Figaro Rising Star Award at the ninth edition of Canneseries 2026, set to take place from April 23 to 28 in Cannes, France, with the honor to be presented during the opening ceremony on the iconic pink carpet.

Sources say the award recognizes her global influence as a K-pop icon who has successfully crossed into acting, citing her massive social media presence with over 80 million Instagram followers, sold-out world tours with BLACKPINK, and recent lead roles in high-profile series. Reports indicate, however, that the announcement on March 10, 2026, has been met with significant backlash, as acting experts and critics have openly highlighted persistent and serious shortcomings in Jisoo’s performances — including limited facial expressions, repetitive emotional delivery, a nasal vocal tone, and lack of natural rhythm in dialogue — issues that observers claim have shown little to no improvement despite years of on-screen experience across projects such as Snowdrop, Newtopia, and the Netflix hit Boyfriend On Demand.

Investigators across entertainment forums, Korean media outlets, and international fan communities are now intensely reviewing footage from her latest series alongside past roles, noting how these recurring weaknesses continue to draw sharp criticism even as the festival praises her “artistic journey” and “ability to conquer new creative territories.” The stark contrast between the organizers’ celebration of her multifaceted career and the expert assessments of unchanging flaws has fueled heated debates, with some questioning whether commercial power and idol status outweigh genuine acting merit in securing such high-profile recognition at one of television’s most elite international events.

This unfolding controversy injects fresh suspense into the serialized narrative of Jisoo’s solo evolution, transforming what appeared to be a triumphant milestone into a layered tale of ambition, public perception, and the complex realities behind the glamour of transitioning from global pop stardom to acclaimed actress.

The empire of BLACKPINK continues to command worldwide attention, yet individual paths like Jisoo’s now reveal deeper tensions between fan loyalty, industry validation, and the demanding standards of the acting world. As she prepares to step onto the pink carpet, the persistent critiques serve as a reminder that star power alone may not silence every voice in the conversation about artistic growth.

Yet the complete story behind the award decision, the unaddressed expert concerns, and the true extent of any influence at play still remains shrouded in mystery, awaiting further revelations in the chapters yet to unfold.

This unfolding controversy injects fresh suspense into the serialized narrative of Jisoo’s solo evolution, transforming what appeared to be a triumphant milestone into a layered tale of ambition, public perception, and the complex realities behind the glamour of transitioning from global pop stardom to acclaimed actress. The empire of BLACKPINK continues to command worldwide attention, yet individual paths like Jisoo’s now reveal deeper tensions between fan loyalty, industry validation, and the demanding standards of the acting world.

As she prepares to step onto the pink carpet, the persistent critiques serve as a reminder that star power alone may not silence every voice in the conversation about artistic growth. Her performance in Boyfriend On Demand, where she plays the lead role of Seo Mi-rae, has reignited discussions, with some viewers pointing out awkward expressions and vocal inconsistencies even in romantic comedy scenes that require lively timing. Previous works like the historical drama Snowdrop and the zombie series Newtopia faced similar scrutiny, where her “wooden acting” became a recurring topic among netizens.

The Canneseries artistic director Albin Lewi praised Jisoo’s ability to expand her territory from music to television, yet the award announcement has spotlighted the divide between commercial success and technical skill. While her global fandom has driven buzz around her projects, helping Boyfriend On Demand trend on Netflix charts, the criticism from Korean media and acting analysts remains sharp. Some reports suggest that six years into her acting career, core limitations in vocalization and emotional range have not evolved significantly, leading to calls from frustrated viewers questioning her continued casting in major productions.