Fact Check: Jessi Is Opening A Braiding Salon In Itaewon?

Rumors have spread that Korean American solo artist Jessi is opening a braiding salon in Itaewon.

Jessi | @jessicah_o/Instagram

Itaewon is known as a multi-cultural part of Seoul, South Korea. You can find diverse ethnic cuisine restaurants, international and queer-accepting nightclubs, and more that you would otherwise not be able to find in Seoul.

Homo Hill in Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea Mama African restaurant in Itaewon | Seoul Eats

So, it’s also one of the few areas with hair shops, salons, barbers, etc., that know how to style various non-Asian hair textures properly. But most are still Korean hairdressers. A few Black YouTubers have shared their experiences getting their hair styled, and some have had good results too.

Now, a rumor is circulating that Jessi is opening a braiding salon in Itaewon. It has begun to spread primarily on the video-sharing app TikTok.

@sltyjm_

Maam..you are korean! #fyp #bts #btsarmy #kpopfyp #itaewon #jessi #viral #_sltyjm #jmsonlywife

♬ original sound – ⁷

@byjimjn

this woman needs to stop #jessi #fyp #braidingsalon #kpopfyp #foryou

♬ son original – Netic.s it’s your choice – Reverse.Soundeffects

Many netizens are expressing their disappointment and frustration. They believe it’s cultural appropriation and obsession with Black culture on Jessi’s part. The rapper has long been accused of “blackfishing.”

@urfavhyunjinsimp

gonna see jay park and xg there 24/7 #kpopfypシ #jessi #foru #urfavhyunjinsimp #foryoupage #kpop

♬ UH OHHH – Killa

@kitsunesbitch

Is anyone surprised (if it is true) #kpop #kpopfyp #kitsunesbitch #jessi

♬ original sound – kitsunes wife fr fr

@.twtwce

major eye roll #jessi #braidingsalon #kpop #twtwce #fypシ #fyp #kpopfypシ #kpopfyp

♬ zorrinya made it – user52957889773

But is Jessi really opening a braiding solon? It’s unlikely. There are no official reports that she is. Actually, it appears that the source for the rumor was another TikTok (@barbeedreams), who posted the rumor as a POV.

@barbeedreams

would yall go? #barbeedreams #kpop #kpopfyp #jessi

♬ this cant be uncle ruckus – Mateo

The video went viral with 156.8K views at the time of writing, and the rumor continued to spread. Yet, the OP (Original Poster) liked the comments that clearly took it as a joke.

| @barbeedreams/TikTok

Recently, OP replied to a comment asking why they made the rumor up. They claimed they “saw it online,” and it “sounded believable.”

| @barbeedreams/TikTok

Do you think it’s believable?