3rd Gen Idol’s Sexy “WATERBOMB 2024 Seoul” Performance Triggers A Debate On Double Standards
On July 6th, the first day of WATERBOMB 2024 Seoul kicked off, boasting an impressive artist line-up across all the days of performances.
WATERBOMB is known for being a fun festival where sexy performances and outfits are the norm rather than the exception. Each year, artists go viral after their appearances, like Kwon Eunbi, who saw a massive rise in popularity following her performances at various WATERBOMB festivals.
This year was no different, with many in the line-up impressing netizens with their stages.
One such artist was ex-NU’EST‘s Baekho, who performed a set during the event.
Baekho is known for his impressive physique, which he did not hesitate to show off during the performance. Photos and videos of the idol have earned thousands of views as compliments flow in.
240705 워터밤 서울 2024 #백호 #BAEKHO
최고의 상탈씬 나옴 pic.twitter.com/FMIu6CAyWd— 단토 (@dandaneetorazin) July 5, 2024
K-Netizens also had similar reactions, praising the idol for looking like a Men’s Health cover model.
- “Damn, his body is insane, is he even real?”
- “Wow, amazing!”
- “Seriously though, how much do you have to work out to look like that? That’s impressive.”
- “Is he a sculpture or something??”
- “Insane. He looks like a men’s fitness magazine model.”
- “Wow, those muscles are no joke.”
However, but Baekho’s performance has also sparked an unexpected debate on double standards.
Cignature‘s Jeewon was also in attendance at the festival and after being crowned a “Waterbomb goddess,” sparked criticism towards her company for allegedly over sexualizing her appearance.
On a post discussing her appearance, reactions ranged from criticism to showing “pity” for Jeewon.
- “Is this just openly declaring that she wants to be like Kwon Eunbi? It feels like the old days when everyone decided to wear revealing clothes to the red carpet events, so it was boobs everywhere. She’s bouncing around on purpose, too… Like, what’s the point?”
- “What’s the point of blaming the agency all the time when she’s OK with it herself?”
- “I don’t know Cignature too well, but I’ve heard of this girl. It seems like her management is pushing her to be revealing… But it’s only going to taint her reputation.”
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“I think it’s sad that a young girl who was just told to make her pornstar debut gets put in front of the public wearing clothes that show her breasts like this. As a fellow human being, I find it heartbreaking.
These comments were brought up while talking about Baekho, with netizens reflecting on the unfair double standards. Commenters stated that when male stars expose themselves, it is considered hot, but female idols are criticized for being sexy.
While in Jeewon’s case, her agency is suspected of pushing this sort of image on her, netizens also discussed it being wrong to immediately assume female idols are forced into everything.
- “When female idols expose themselves, they’re called harmful and pitiful, but when male idols strip, they’re praised as hot.”
- “So men can undress voluntarily, while women are forced to? Entertainers make a living off their public image anyway. If they’re confident in their bodies, they might as well show them off. The double standard is ridiculous. At least spend some money on them if you’re going to pity them.”
- “After seeing comments that treat female idols who undress as cheap and pitiable sacrificial lambs, the Baekho post comes across as even more amusing. Even if they say male and female chests are different, notice how Baekho has completely removed his top. It’s obvious that reactions don’t differ because of how much undressing is going on. In fact, he got more responses saying he’s muscular and sexy. Stop pitying female idols.”
- “I think the comments that came under the female idol’s post were abnormal. Isn’t it more natural to react the way people did to Baekho? Some people swear they’re fighting for women’s rights but will turn right around and slam a female idol for no reason.”
What do you think about this issue?
