Netizens Discuss The Sexualization Of School Uniforms In K-Pop
School uniforms have long been used by K-Pop idols as outfits. It stems from as far back as the second generation! Girls’ Generation used school uniform-inspired outfits for their debut.
On the other hand, shows such as Star Golden Bell also had the guests wear uniforms.
Now, the tradition continues, and many groups use the concept. LE SSERAFIM recently used it for “Smart.”
NewJeans also famously used it for “Ditto.”
Variety show Knowing Bros also has its guests wear different versions of the uniform.
With it being so widely used in the industry, many don’t bat an eye when a group uses the concept. Despite this, some have taken the chance to voice their opinions with the recent release of LE SSERAFIM’s “Smart.” When the song was first performed, many already had qualms about maknae Eunchae performing such a “sexualized” choreography. The choreography includes twerking and gyrating, as well as a move that has the girls spreading their legs.
Why did the uniform concept for “Smart” receive such backlash compared to when NewJeans used it for “Ditto?” “Ditto” banked on the nostalgic, retro concept and used unaltered uniforms with long skirts and long sleeves. They were also not form-fitting, neither were the girls made to dance provocatively.
On the other hand, “Smart” uniforms are highly altered, with pieces such as cropped tops or corsets worked in.
Of course, Eunchae’s age also plays a factor.
A 17 y/o dancing in a sexualised school uniform and people are applauding it… Seriously? https://t.co/4XifMJtGQ0
— Megan (@megan_atz) March 5, 2024
Netizens have begun to discuss the sexualization of uniforms in K-Pop.
the sexualisation of school uniforms in kpop is so crazy iām so sick of it
— martyna ššāā¬ (@mniwrchlysl_2) March 7, 2024
thinking about how sexy nurse clothings are removed from kpop mvs for sexualising the professsion but outfits sexualising school uniforms are not a pb at all
— ju' šµšø (@tokkeunbi) March 5, 2024
Of course, many feel that it would not be a huge problem if the uniforms were not altered.
- Do they have a disease where they will die if they don’t crop the uniforms? Why do they keep cropping them?
- It’s been like this for years. Is it as female idols’ outfits are limited?
- I think they should really be careful about cropping uniforms and increasing exposure… Not just LE SSERAFIM or NewJeans, but this applies to all idols. I also find the cropped uniforms on Knowing Bros so-so.
- [OP’s reply] I was also talking about all the uniform outfits for girl groups! It’s just that the recent ones are LE SSERAFIM and NewJeans’ that I only put their pictures up.
- They would be pretty even if they wore the uniforms neatly. Why do they do that?
- Exposure is not the problem, but doing that to uniforms is.
- Britney also got cursed out…
- They would be pretty enough wearing uniforms as they are. I hate this…
Although uniforms have been present in K-Pop for a long time, the later generations have taken to customizing and styling them compared to the previous generations. Adapting the uniform to match current trends in fashion have resulted in an inevitable form of sexualization of the outfits. It begs the question ā are uniforms such a necessity in K-Pop that they cannot be replaced? Why are broadcasters not taking steps to ban sexualizing them as they did other professions’ uniforms?
What are your thoughts?
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