K-pop fans raised brows against a rookie girl group with minor members as their song allegedly contains sexual innuendoes.
What's the real meaning of the release?
YOUNG POSSE Draws Backlash for Group's Name, Debut Song 'Macaroni Cheese'
While international and Korean K-pop fans usually have clashing opinions due to cultural differences, THIS girl group made them share the same views for the debut song's alleged sexual innuendoes.
On October 18, YOUNG POSSE (Sunhye, Jiana, Yeonjung, Jieun, and Doeun) debuted with their first EP, "Macaroni Cheese." The girl group particularly drew attention for having an average age of 16.6 years. All members are under 19 born between 2004 and 2009.
Prior to their debut, YOUNG POSSE became controversial due to their group's name.
Their name has a significant meaning of "can do" or "being able to," which is derived from the Latin definition of "POSSE." Together with the "young" members, the group aims to serve a purpose for the Gen Z and Gen Alpha fans.
However, both international and K-netz showed disapproval due to its sound, which is similar to the female genitals' slang term. Fans are worried that people would mispronounce their name as "po-sey/po-si" instead of "pa-ssi."
But their concerns didn't stop there after the quintet dropped their debut track, "Macaroni Cheese."
K-pop fans in English-speaking countries pointed out that the lyrics of the song were "sensational" and that it was not right to have a minor singer sing the song due to its sexual innuendoes.
The song includes lyrics such as, "Like a macaroni cheese," "Pour it all over my body, all cheddar cheese, come here," and "Macaroni have a try."
As the title goes, it emphasizes "Macaroni cheese," such as, "It tastes like yaya" and "Then you eat it, easy, peasy, you're already in my mouth."
However, in English-speaking countries, "Mac & Cheese," is mainly used as a slang term that "the sound of mixing macaroni cheese is similar to the sound of sexual activity."
In response, overseas fans highlighted:
"If an adult had sung it, people would have thought it was about love including physical relationships. It is argued that it is not appropriate for a minor member to sing it."
Earlier, when "Macaroni Cheese" was released, YOUNG POSSE explained:
"The song contains the desire of those who are tired of repeated daily life and diet to eat as much food as they want and to hang out like cheese."
K-Netz, I-Netz Mention NewJeans Amid YOUNG POSSE Sensationalism Controversy
Amid criticism of YOUNG POSSE, both foreign and Korean netizens encouraged music fans to not support girl groups with minor members singing songs full of sexual innuendoes. They also warned listeners to be wary of companies that might be taking advantage of minor idols.
Regarding this, NewJeans was mentioned, after they released their triple title track, "Cookie," in August 2022.
At the time, an English interpreter claimed on his online channel that "Cookie" means a woman's genitalia. New Jeans was also controversial as it was composed of underage members born from 2004 to 2008.
However, New Jeans' agency ADOR denied this, stating:
"Slang around the world, which cannot be measured, is not a standard language that everyone should know and learn."
CEO Min Hee Jin added:
"(The song 'Cookie') symbolizes the new challenge we are trying to try in the future based on the idea of 'burning CDs = baking cookies."
READ MORE: NewJeans 'Cookie' Draws Divided Opinions for Lyrics 'Containing' Sexual Innuendoes
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Written by Eunice Dawson.
