Times have changed in Asia and idol artists are now venturing upwards in maturity ratings, participating in rated-R shows and producing music videos with adult content labels.

With the majority of their fans being teens, why are idol stars going in that direction?

No shirt now a given

Jay Park released a new music video for his single, "Welcome," on April 22. In K-Pop history, it may be the most sexual content ever. With his tattoo-covered upper body on top of an actress, he gets in a groove with his lower back unafraid to move in whichever direction. Whatever bed scenes involving idol stars there were prior to this monumental music video, they were definitely child's play by comparison. The actress, Oh Cho Hee, became the most searched words online for a brief period, thanks to the controversy of the music video.

4minute, upon their return, made their way to Saturday Night Live Korea, the rated-R comedy show that is unlike any other shows in Korea in its direct, bold portrayal of sex comedy.

Why go 'adult?'

The most prominent 'sexy' icon in K-Pop before 4minute's Hyun A was Lee Hyori. Also a member of former idol group, FIN.K.L., she quickly became the first female K-Pop artist to achieve success with a boldly-marketed sex appeal. But even Lee Hyori's 'sexy' was nothing like what we see in today's K-Pop.

4Minute's management company shared that "SNL Korea's concept works very well with the image of 4minute. We have wanted to be more shocking and bold before but it is not really possible to do so in major networks. SNL Korea has much more room in that regard so we decided to go on it."

An associate in medical circles summarized the current trend toward increased sexual content even among K-Pop industry geared toward teens. "Because there is so much competition, everyone is looking for something new, something stronger. To put the same old stuff on stage does no one any good. Plus, the public has become more receptive to sexual contents with the influx of Western media that is heavily sexual and violent."