My Idol’s Body, Not My Rules
This is an opinion article. HallyUP opinion articles showcase our members’ thoughts on specific topics on K-Culture. The views and opinions of the writer do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the organization as a whole.
Content Warning: This piece contains mentions of sexism and online harassment. Reader discretion is advised.
POV: You’re a K-pop idol debuting or making your much-awaited comeback with a sexy concept. Not long after, you see your name or your group’s hashtag going viral. Intrigued yet unsure of the reason, you scroll through posts online only to discover people giving malicious comments, obviously with sexual undertones.
Just how demoralizing could it be to pureheartedly pursue your K-idol journey while unconsciously becoming the subject onto which a man projects his sexual desires?
Objectification in mass media has been rampant, especially among women, and this social phenomenon blurs the lines between supporting one’s favorite celebrities to a healthy extent and fulfilling erotic fantasies through visually-oriented consumption of their bodies. As mature concepts once again breathe new life into the K-pop scene, artists from the fourth and the fifth generations, like (G)I-DLE and KISS OF LIFE, respectively, strive to make a name for themselves through female-empowering music, however, at the expense of their subjugation to the destructive male gaze. Likewise, it is overlooked how male celebrities are being thirsted over or infantilized by many.
On the one hand, it is amazing how the long-standing genre capitalizes on its versatility and now extends to audiences of all ages and genders. But despite becoming a massive cultural advancement and a morale booster for those persevering in the industry, it is just as terrifying how perverted individuals take advantage of it as a ground for predation. Either they unhealthily perceive certain actions and getups as eye candy or victimize their favorites solely because they look subjectively hot or have done something unpleasant to their eyes, both problematic on their own.
If not in the form of sexually explicit fan fiction or AU (an acronym for “alternative universe”) stories, concerned fans complain about the ubiquity of various NSFW (short for “not safe for work”) content unashamedly posted online for their idols to see — be it in text, picture, or video format. The thing is, it is normal to be mesmerized by another person’s evident display of beauty and talent. Nonetheless, the fractions of their selves that they choose to publicize do not consent to the broad commonality’s vulgarity and sexual indelicacy.
Unfortunately, a lot of stans are still oblivious to their unethical, humiliating views and rhetorics. Many often dismiss that the portrayal of mature concepts by idols of legal age does not give anyone, even their fans, a free pass to sexualize them; more so, the same timelessly applies to groups consisting of minors. To begin with, those who proclaim themselves fans should be at the frontlines of gracing their idols with moral support, not dragging them down through sexualization.
Although this issue largely stems from the perception of the general public, entertainment companies should make it imperative to circumvent all possible forms of harassment towards their artists by, at the very least, only allowing groups with full-fledged adults as members to debut and present their artistry through mature themes. Suggestive lyrics, sexy outfits, and explicit content withal are inappropriate for underage idols, who are also likely to pull off different youthful, refreshing vibes that befit them in the first place.
If the idols’ agencies are truly committed to protecting them, they ought to release official statements denoting their clear stances regarding such. Otherwise, these greedy money-making complexes are subtly admitting the employment of artists for exploitative purposes. In a capitalistic world, this is no longer surprising — the multitude’s priority may be earning money above anything else. Yet in a progressive society that supposedly allows for individual well-being and collective welfare, these institutions are failing to justly bestow the stability and order their constituents deserve.
Eventually, no one would aspire to undertake rigorous training periods and sacrifice significant aspects of their personal lives only for the industry to shatter their idol dreams right in front of their guileless eyes. Suffice it to say, being a trainee already is a tedious process, considering the hardships they experience before debuting — let alone the lack of freedom to distinctly express their craft. Since they are strictly under the rigged system’s control, they are more or less diminished to objects anyone can make unsubstantiated derogatory remarks about. But regardless of whether they are underage or of legal age, exposure to this kind of system could have detrimental effects on their mental health. And embracing this toxic culture should not be normalized.
For as long as idols do their jobs, their fans, their families, their labels, and even the masses who randomly happen to discover their work should do their fair share of extending respect to each person’s dignity on the daily. After all, they are born to be artists not meant to be reduced to providers of pleasure, whose delicate bodies are mere vessels for the real masterpieces — composition, choreography, and culture — they bring to light. At the end of the day, this is a collective responsibility, and it is never wrong to call perpetrators for accountability.
Article by Shaniah Marie Atienza
