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'It's cheap': HYBE continues to get flak for sexualizing minors in Le Sserafim's debut stage

All of the girls were seen wearing mini and skimpy outfits while posing with tennis rackets and heels

With more and more underaged idols debuting in K-pop, fans are becoming sensitive to the sexualization and objectification of artists in the industry. 16-year-old NMIXX’s Jiwoo was cyberbullied for looking heavier than the standard skinny body shape female idols are supposed to have. Meanwhile, fans were uncomfortable as Itzy’s Yuna was only 17 when she was dressed in revealing outfits for ‘Loco’. And now, HYBE is getting flak for sexualizing Le Sserafim.

The general public was fiesta angry when HYBE introduced their first girl group Le Sserafim with questionable concept photos in collaboration with the label Source Music. All of the girls were wearing mini and skimpy outfits while posing with tennis rackets and heels. They were then seen posing on bikes with body-hugging leather outfits. Netizens found it creepy stating that HYBE was targeting middle-aged men’s fantasies, especially since some of the members are minors. And now, with the group’s debut, it hasn’t helped the situation.

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Netizens uncomfortable with Le Sserafim’s concept

Le Sserafim made their debut with the lead single ‘Fearless’. While the music video was pretty grand and showed off all of the members in a good light, the dance break had many fans divided. While singing, all of the girls get on the floor and do the twerking move that is nowadays associated with Jason Derulo’s ‘Swalla’ and ‘WAP’ by Cardi B’s choreography. While the girls changed this particular move while performing at their debut showcase stage, their outfits sparked outrage.

The girls are wearing mini skirts and skimpy outfits that constantly rode up while dancing. There were also certain moves that felt too sexual for minor girls as they bend or lift their legs at certain points in the choreography. The general public was uncomfortable and called out HYBE for sexualizing Le Sserafim. The youngest member, Eunchae is only 15 while the oldest, Sakura is 24.

‘No way the girls actually enjoyed this’

Knetz made posts like, “I thought it was weird since the teaser but I didn't know the stage would be like this. This is really bad. This is sexual harassment level.” Another user shared, “So disgusting ㅋㅋ. HYBE only has men so they pushed all their sexual fantasies on their idols.” One added, “HYBE has earned a lot of money, was it really necessary to do such a cheap concept? The girls are all pretty too.” Another commented, “Probably thought it was sexy enough to hook men... but it's not, it's just cheap.” One wrote, “Looks like they were deliberately aiming for ahjussis [older men] with this concept.”

Another said, “The WAP choreography is what put the nail in the coffin. Fans talked so much crap about this person being a minor just for Hybe to say hold my beer. Companies need to stop debuting kids under 18 at this point.” One added, “They're basically being pimped out by dirty old men by selling the schoolgirl fantasy to other perverts. There's no way the girls actually enjoyed this.” Another user shared even if the members are adults, it would be uncomfortable for them, “And even if they are 20+ ask them if they want to be part of group with sexy concept. It should be basic decency really.” One asked, “Why tf are the fits so boring and purposeless for their debut stage? Who tf dressed them??”

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