KISS OF LIFE Natty And Julie’s Lesbian-Inspired Performance Faces Brutal Criticism
On June 30, KISS OF LIFE returned with a new summer anthem, “Sticky.” Fans expected the track to lean into a fun, sexier image based on the teaser…
…but many were left surprised by the fun and flirtatious music video, resulting in a split amongst the fandom. While many enjoyed the vibes of the video, some found it to over-sexualize the group and take advantage of their “hot girl” image.
This sparked a debate, with fans using KISS OF LIFE’s own words to respond to claims of over-sexualization.
Oversexualization Or Overreaction? KISS OF LIFE Fans Have Heated Debate…With Receipts
Recently, the debate has picked up again as fans, mostly on the Korean side, reacted negatively to a recent release.
On August 13, Julie and Natty appeared on Mnet’s YouTube channel in a short film with actor Lee Yi Kyung. The short film appears to be a modern recreation of the Korean film The Handmaiden.
The Handmaiden is about a pickpocket turned maid to a Japanese heiress. The former pickpocket was tasked with helping a con man convince the heiress to marry him under false premises.
After a stressful moment, the two have sex with each other, the start of several twists and turns in the film.
At one point, Natty and Julie dance “Buttons” by The Pussycat Dolls.
The dance is decidedly sensual and sexy, and allows the two idols to showcase their talents in a new way.
The dance portion was reuploaded on to X with a different song, where it has gone viral.
Julie × Natty ‘beautiful lair’ pic.twitter.com/91IFX9K59O
— ⋆ (@kiofcinema) August 13, 2024
The video received much praise on the original platform, with many enjoying the short film.
However, the reposted clip of their performance has been met with harsh criticism. Many have criticized the continued sexy image the group have had as of late, while accusing their company of taking advantage as others disapprove of using the performance to pay homage to the award-winning film.
Sticky 저질뮤비 드럽고 천박한 안무 빨아줘서 거기에 힘을 실어주니까 그런듯
“아 이게 잘팔리네”, “이게 잘 먹히네” , "이게 돈이 되네“ 하고 소속사가 알아버린거임 ㅋㅋ
이래서 조금이라도 성상품화스러우면 소비해주면 안된다니까 사람들이 말을 존나 안들음… https://t.co/YJplXMkrB9 pic.twitter.com/ErMxzYobC1
— 돌아온 녹짜 (@nogjja3333) August 15, 2024
섹슈얼한데 그게 섹시하지도않아서 웃기기까지한 이….. 어글리한 결과물 어쩔거야 그것도 아가씨 오마주가보이네 미쳤어요? https://t.co/XRDkl3RFNF
— 숨숨 (@boom_soomtea) August 15, 2024
이 소속사는 애들 성상품화 시키는 걸 왤케 좋아함? https://t.co/U1d38Q8Y0K
— 장갑 (@qoyuzas) August 15, 2024
박찬욱이 이거보면 기획한 놈 죽이러 갈듯 https://t.co/MQKOz4O6ug
— 박석길 (@qudtlwjdwk) August 15, 2024
오마주하는 건 본인들 마음이긴하지만 아가씨 줄거리와 특히 저 들판 장면의 의미를 생각하면 본인들도 이런 성적어필 뒤에 넣는건 이상하다는 생각 들지않나?? https://t.co/i0Gje4i7HY
— 🌊 (@SUNH2O_) August 15, 2024
- “They hype up cheap music videos with dirty and vulgar choreography, so that’s probably why it happens. The agency realized, ‘Oh, this sells well,’ ‘This works,’ ‘This makes money,’ lol. This is why we shouldn’t support anything that’s even slightly sexualized, but people just don’t listen…”
- “It’s sexualized, but it’s not even sexy, so it’s actually funny… What are we supposed to do with this ugly outcome? And I can even see hints of a homage to The Handmaiden. Are they crazy?”
- “Why does this agency love sexualizing their artists so much?”
- “If Park Chan Wook (The Handmaiden’s director and writer) saw this he’d probably want to hunt down the person who planned it.”
- “Homaging something is their choice, but if they really think about the plot of The Handmaiden, especially the significance of that field scene, shouldn’t they also find it strange to use it as a backdrop for sexual appeal?”
It seems that while some of the criticism is based in the same issues the group were facing following the release of “Sticky,” the argument of what is appropriate has added context. However, as art is subjective and the buzz around KISS OF LIFE continues to increase, the group should continue doing what they feel comfortable with.
