Veteran actor Cha Seung-won makes a cameo and detailed VFX work raises the video's cinematic quality.
However, most public attention has shifted to debates about acting ability, sparking a wider discussion.
Commercial success and questions about performance coexist, creating a layered public reaction.
Is Jisoo's "Earthquake" a win — or did it trigger the acting controversy?
Release and results.
The music video frames the start of a romance by comparing the rush of falling in love to an earthquake.
Jisoo (a member of the K-pop group BLACKPINK) builds a subtle emotional arc through vocal tone and facial expression.
The video also features Cha Seung-won, a well-known South Korean actor whose presence adds a cinematic layer.
Immediately after release it hit 100 million views on YouTube and picked up a nomination at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMA).
The video's commercial performance and visual polish are clear achievements.
However, lively debate over Jisoo's acting followed.
Fan communities and general viewers split, producing a divided online conversation.
The marriage of lyrics and direction.
The words use lines such as "my body trembles so I cannot deny you" to dramatize the first rush of attraction.
The melody and arrangement keep a pop sensibility while highlighting Jisoo's vocal color.
Direction links scenes and uses VFX to visualize emotional highs and lows.
Notably, VFX artists and technicians who reviewed the work repeatedly praised the visual effects' craftsmanship.
Cha Seung-won's cameo strengthens the narrative and gives viewers a familiar filmic touch.
Meanwhile, the blend of direction and acting can produce both synergy and dissonance.
The video is strong in directorial execution, but acting detail has become a point of contention.
Voices in favor.
Supporters make several points.
First, the video adheres to pop conventions and harmonizes lyrics with visuals.
Jisoo's tone and expression are sufficient to convey the song's emotional intent.
Second, a respected actor like Cha Seung-won adds gravitas and draws broader interest.
Third, VFX and editing create a continuous emotional flow so the video functions as a single visual narrative.
From this view, symbolic presentation matters more than naturalistic acting.
In short, the music video should be read primarily as a visual companion to the song rather than a short film seeking realist acting.
Fourth, commercial indicators matter: 100 million YouTube views and a VMA nomination signal real popularity and influence.
These results suggest that the song, the video, and the marketing worked together effectively.
Finally, some critics and VFX practitioners gave positive marks for visual composition and director intent.
Taken together, supporters argue that "Jisoo's performance and the visual storytelling successfully delivered the song's message."
They see the solo release as a professional milestone that can strengthen her artistic positioning and long-term career prospects.
Voices in opposition.
Critics focus on acting quality.
Some reviewers and general viewers say Jisoo's facial expressions and delivery lack naturalness.
In scenes that demand film-like close-ups and emotional shifts, moments appear that break viewer immersion.
This debate goes beyond style differences and can look like an image-management failure.
A performing artist's work depends on consistent credibility on stage and screen, and that credibility matters to fans, advertisers, and production partners.
Therefore, acting controversy could affect contracts, brand deals, and future acting offers.
General viewer judgment matters because it links directly to market reach.
Fan support is strong but limited; without broader public resonance, long-term market dominance is harder to secure.
Opponents argue the music video revealed gaps in how Jisoo’s public image is polished.
From this perspective, practical measures are needed: acting coaching, targeted training, and possibly adjusting concept choices.
If professionals cannot sustain reliability across mediums, a single spike in attention may not translate into enduring career stability.
Opponents therefore call for more careful planning to balance acting and performance in future projects.
Comparisons and precedents.
Similar tensions have appeared when other idol solo projects mix strong visuals with performance expectations.
Some projects prioritize visual concept and succeed, while others draw criticism when acting and direction clash.
Highly visual music videos tend to privilege symbolism over acting nuance.
However, when an artist has acting experience or formal training, both visual polish and acting credibility are evaluated together.
Working with a respected actor like Cha Seung-won raises audience expectations; if the lead artist's acting does not match that expectation, scrutiny intensifies.
This is where discrepancies between directorial intention and the artist's acting ability become visible.
Audience reaction also varies by platform.
Fan communities emphasize lyric interpretation and concept completion, whereas casual YouTube viewers are often more sensitive to the naturalness of emotional expression.
That divergence affects a song's long-term popularity and an artist's ability to broaden their fanbase.
Socio-cultural implications.
The entertainment industry links artistic work with professional systems.
An artist's career depends on maintaining reputational stability and economic partnerships.
Performance quality therefore ties directly to reputation, contract terms, and brand collaborations.
Moreover, in a fast-moving content market, early performance often sets a baseline for a longer career.
Management teams must plan not only musical skills but also image training, education, and ongoing preparation.
This is not merely a personal issue; it reflects the industry's capacity to manage talent.
Ultimately, the debate asks how music, video direction, acting education, and fan expectations should interact.
It invites reflection on career planning, financial stability for artists, and quality control in cultural production.
Conclusion and recommendations.
In summary, "Earthquake" demonstrates strong visual direction and clear commercial impact.
Yet the acting controversy leaves a challenge for image management and long-term professional stability.
Therefore, the production team and Jisoo’s agency should consider structured acting coaching and a deliberate performance-management plan.
Musical accomplishment and acting skill should develop in parallel.
It will be important to watch how Jisoo's team balances these elements in future projects.
How do you see this debate? What is your view on the balance between visual storytelling and acting in music videos?
