The noise continues over HYBE's first girl group LE SSERAFIM, which is about to debut. Amid member Kim Garam's bullying controversy, the group and company were accused of sexualizing tennis players due to their outfits in their teaser photos.
On April 8, LE SSERAFIM continues to drop teaser photos and videos ahead of their debut in May. On the same day, its fifth member Kazuha was unveiled.
LE SSERAFIM Faces Controversy of Sexually Objectifying Female Tennis Players
Amid high anticipation for the group's debut of K-pop enthusiasts, the current five members who were first revealed through SNS faced backlash for their teaser photo outfits.
According to internet users, their costumes and concepts are excessive in terms of exposure as well as anachronistic dresses.
While their visuals and charms are being praised, it was pointed out that the soon-to-debut idols wearing tennis suits in high heels is also concerning.
"No one plays tennis in high heels," says critics on social media platforms.
Internet users emphasized that the concept shows the sexiness of the members, rather than their sportiness. This leads to claims that LE SSERAFIM was objectifying tennis players.
ALSO READ: LE SSERAFIM Chaewon Teaser Photos Receive Criticism for Being 'Too Sexy'
Herald POP stated:
"Distorting sexual aspects far from the job or its original function has led to controversy over sexual objectification in the past concepts of other jobs."
What concerns internet users more is that most of the members were minors, the youngest being born in 2006.
In response, it seems like HYBE noticed the displeasure of fans and internet users. In Kazuha's teaser photo, which was released on April 8, there is no picture of wearing heels in tennis clothes and holding a racket like the previous members.
LE SSERAFIM Faces Multiple Controversy Prior to Debut – What Will Happen to Them?
It is a regret that although LE SSERAFIM initially gained positive expectations, they are now being embroiled in negative news. One of the rumors that circulated was about Kim Garam's allegedly school bullying incident.
The photos released by internet users are believed to be Kim Garam's alumni. It showed her posing with friends against the background of a blackboard containing explicit sexual expressions, sparking controversy.
As a result, HYBE and Source Music attested to fans that the allegations of school violence are groundless.
According to Source Music, the recent allegation is a cleverly edited malicious slander, and Kim Garam is the victim.
Amid the continued noise, attention is being paid to LE SSERAFIM's future moves in the K-pop scene, as BTS's "Little Sisters."
K-pop fans are also expecting that such controversies will not happen again, given that Bang Sihyuk, chairman of HYBE and Kim Sung Hyun, creative director, were named on the production team of the group's debut album.
With HYBE's World Class production team participating, LE SSERAFIM is heralding a "class-different debut" as abundant content such as videos and photos designed to suit each member's characteristics are poured out.
READ MORE: LE SSERAFIM Kim Garam Accused of Dissing IVE
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Written by Eunice Dawson
