SM Entertainment is currently under fire for supposedly sexualizing office workers in latest aespa "Next Level" dance practice.

On Jun. 19, aespa uploaded a new version of their "Next Level" dance practice, titled "aespa 에스파 'Next Level' aespa Company ver. Dance Practice." The girls are dressed as corporate employees for this dance practice video, wearing blazers, ties, company IDs, and high heels.

SM Entertainment Under Fire for Supposedly Sexualizing Office Workers in aespa Next Level Dance Practice

The dance practice video was first met with positive response from fans. However, South Korean social media users soon accused SM Entertainment of sexualizing office workers in the new upload.

A post on Instiz, an online community forum in the country, went viral for slamming the agency giant for their choices of clothing for the rookie group. The author stated that dancing in professional attire that was modified to be sexy is sexual objectification.

See aespa Next Level dance practice video here.

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In aespa's music video, the girls are seen in crop tops that show off their mid-riff, but that is not what professional employees were. As the intention is to lure in the gaze of people with more revealing clothing, people believe SM Entertainment is objectifying office workers in the dance practice video.

Still, the video sparked divided opinions. Some internet users defended aespa, saying that it does not appear that they are sexualizing office workers and that corporate attire is not linked to any profession, unlike nurses and soldiers, who are often sexualized in media.

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Others also pointed out that as entertainers, their job is to commercialize humans and put them on the market.

However, the opposing side reiterated that what SM Entertainment is doing is, in fact, sexual objectification of office workers. They stated that the use of an employee ID while wearing short crop tops makes the video look more sexual than needed and that no office worker dresses like that to work.

Others criticized SM Entertainment's choice of clothes, and assumed that aespa does not look comfortable performing due to their high heels.

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below.

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aespa "Next Level," It's Achievements, and More

On May 17, 2021, aespa dropped their third digital single, "Next Level."

"Next Level" was a commercial hit in South Korea, entering at the top of the Bugs and Genie streaming sites. The SM Entertainment rookie girl group is the first 2020 debut group to have a song enter at number one on a South Korean music streaming service.

Upon its release, "Next Level" entered the Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart at number three. On the Billboard Global 200 charts, on the other hand, "Next Level" debuted at number 97. This makes aespa the third K-pop girl group to have more than one song enter the said chart.

In addition, "Next Level" also debuted at the Billboard Global Excl. US chart at number 54.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: aespa's 'Next Level' Banned During South Korea's National Exam Period

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Written by Alexa Lewis