FEARNOTs were angered after KBS had deemed LE SSERAFIM's MV for "EASY" as "unfit" for broadcast.
Read more about what happened below.
LE SSERAFIM's 'EASY' Music Video Ineligible for Broadcast Due to 'Risk of Imitation'
On February 16, FEARNOTs vented their frustration to KBS after the organization had banned LE SSERAFIM's "EASY" music video ahead of its release.
According to posts online, the reason for the banning was due to "Risk of Imitation." The description was unclear at first impression. However, it implied that the upcoming music video would display certain behaviors that some viewers may find dangerous and riskily influential.
The description for "EASY" described how the music video will showcase LE SSERAFIM's concealed anxieties and struggles. Some also made it clear that the music video was the only content banned from broadcast and not the song itself.
LE SSERAFIM's new music video for 'EASY' was deemed ineligible to broadcast by KBS due to the risk of people copying what's on the video.
— "A music video that deals with LE SSERAFIM's anxieties and struggles behind the scenes that the group has never played before." pic.twitter.com/WCBu2J9fsJ
The music video for "EASY" was deemed ineligible for broadcast by KBS due to risk of imitation (possibly of people, especially kids, copying what's on the video)
MV description: The MV shows LE SSERAFIM's anxieties and struggles behind-the-scenes pic.twitter.com/ejtUgFJhjt
Fans vented their anger towards KBS and criticized the broadcasting station for holding the MV ineligible. Others expressed worries regarding the ban since the prohibition might affect LE SSERAFIM's performance in future comeback stages in their new era.
Read their reactions below:
are y’all seeing this series of girl groups(wife/easy) songs getting banned live bc they speak about way too “realistic” themes? https://t.co/GBc35U67Jx
This is why non Kpop fans just see Kpop idols as a product because whenever an artist tries to be relatable and talk about their everyday feelings and struggles as idols ,they get stopped immediately. Because this excuse is not excusing . https://t.co/VvhQ7LMJON
“kpop groups are generic and never make songs/mvs with any real meaning” WELL when groups like le sserafim try to branch out and talk about real shit they get silenced so where do we go from here https://t.co/xd5T5ot9kX
any time a group wants to create some kind of legitimate commentary, kbs has some bullshit excuse to ban it. literally just happened with idle. you can’t make any progress with social issues if you don’t let people talk about them, and that includes within popular media. https://t.co/e5d1QKrXfg
Le sserafim put so much message in their album easy i think they focus on what message they want in the mv, so now we need to focus so hard for the wins
LE SSERAFIM's "EASY" will be the group's third mini album, and it is scheduled to be released on February 19, at 6 p.m., KST.
KBS Banning Other K-pop Releases Due to Inappropriate Material, Language, More
This isn't the first time KBS has banned a song or music video in the K-pop industry. In other news, the organization deemed (G)I-DLE's "Wife" as unfit for broadcast due to its lyrics being "sexually explicit," as well as the group's "Rollie" for citing a certain brand.
2023 was also the year when Jimin of BTS made his solo debut with first mini album "FACE." But during his promotions for the album, KBS banned one of its songs, which was the B-side track "Face-off" due to use of curse words and unsuitable expressions.
