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How are sexy concepts empowering?


XIUDEAN

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I constantly see comments on youtube and OH about kpop girl group sexy concepts and how "empowering" they are and how female idols are "owning their sexuality". And I find myself confused.

 

Even in western culture female objectification is pretty prevalent even among established female artists who have a modicum of control/say in their work and it is being sold as this new form of feminism almost, because as I stated the artists do have more of a voice. Sexy = Independence and all that jazz. 

 

But in kpop where it's already established that basically all idols are nothing more than puppets essentially to their companies/labels, why is this idea of "empowerment through sex" still being pushed by fans?

 

These girls (the majority anyway) have no say in the genesis of the concept, the music video, the outfits or the lyrics . So how is that empowering exactly? Do you really think the MV directors, songwriters, choreographers and company execs (mostly men mind you) really give a shit about preaching empowerment to women through these concepts?  :wut:  This argument would be more sound of there were more women at the helm, but that isn't the case.

 

Now before some of you get all heated and think I'm a slut shamer or that women can't/shouldn't do sexy concepts, I'm not supporting or promoting slut shaming at all. I literally detest it. I'm also not saying that there should be no sexy concepts at all either. I'm simply wondering why can't we call a spade a spade instead of feeling the need to justify.

 

So many girl group fans are preaching this contradictory mantra to support sexy concepts. Can't you simply just like the song/video/lyrics for what it is? Pop music is about entertainment and nothing more, it's not out to teach society a lesson (I know some artists do but that is the minority) and there is nothing wrong in that.

 

Kpop sexy concepts for female and male groups serve the same purpose: to objectify the idols for the target demographic. This is the whole point of idols as the name itself suggests

 

Male groups are objectified towards fangirls (shirtless, body rolls, hip thrusts etc), Female groups are objectified typically for male fans (provocative outfits, sexy choreography etc) this includes the cute concept groups as well of course for the guys who like that sort of thing

 

Please discuss to help me understand this point of view

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i feel like fan are the problem, I feel so strongly attached to the idea that people are the ones who are making everything in kpop sexual whether it be cute or sexy concepts. they are obsessed with the idea of perversion. Although some groups/companies do particularity promote that concept

 

there are always tw sides to things; you can either feel empowered or degraded by sexy concepts

like empowered as in owning you're body dressed in a way that you want to and acting that way 

but degraded as in trying to appeal to other people by doing those concepts

 

i don't get the support of it but it's kind of gives the girl groups a more feminine vibe which appeals to a mass audience 

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The spade being called the spade is that no matter what the female artist thinks on the matter, whether or not she is complying with the sexy concept or came up with it herself, it is this:

 

 

sex sells (particularly the sexuality of women)

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Everything you said. I don't have anything against sexy concepts (quite the contrary) but it's not right to call them feminist either. It's all business in the end. 

 

Same with cute concepts. Personally I find them more degrading tbh. (Tho I enjoy them too if done well)

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kpop groups can never be really empowering unless they have control over their image

 

i think gain for example is an artist who seems to be enjoying her sexy image and women find it "jjang" or cool since she's not pretty but she can carry a sexy concept because she is confident..

 

of course you have to analyze the image that an artist is trying to portray in a song/music video/performance before you call it "empowering" its still about context

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I don't think it's empowering because it's just a marketing strategy that is going to turned around when the market calls for it. Like a cute concept doesn't make you pure or whatever. It's just a concept and its aim is purely to sell.

 

True although it can have empowering undertones if the song at least has lyrics indicating that.

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Yeah i agree, i think most girl groups stan use that excuse to stop other fangirls from slut shaming their faves, but at the end we all know that most idols doesn't have any power in what they do sadly :/

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It's not "empowering" when the idols themselves have no control over their concept and when it's obvious the company will do anything to earn profit, even if it means selling their body's for attention.

Some artists I think are pretty empowering, Hyuna and Ga In seem to own their sexuality very well. That's just my imo tho

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I don't think it's empowering because it's just a marketing strategy that is going to turned around when the market calls for it. Like a cute concept doesn't make you pure or whatever. It's just a concept and its aim is purely to sell.

 

This is the problem so many fans of cute girl groups seems to have. They don't get that is really is one and the same. Sexy concept/cute concept are still selling the same thing. And fans need to remember these concepts don't necessarily reflect the personalities of the idols and they should not bash or overpraise groups just based on concept

 

i feel like fan are the problem, I feel so strongly attached to the idea that people are the ones who are making everything in kpop sexual whether it be cute or sexy concepts. they are obsessed with the idea of perversion. Although some groups/companies do particularity promote that concept

 

there are always tw sides to things; you can either feel empowered or degraded by sexy concepts

like empowered as in owning you're body dressed in a way that you want to and acting that way 

but degraded as in trying to appeal to other people by doing those concepts

 

i don't get the support of it but it's kind of gives the girl groups a more feminine vibe which appeals to a mass audience 

 

You're kinda right. People tend to just focus on graphic content more in general. Sex, violence etc.

 

You're two sides theory brings up a good point. How do we know if the concept is going to empower or degrade? If someone who doesn't consider herself attractive sees these sexy girl groups "being empowered" isn't it possible that she might lack even more confidence because she feels like she could never achieve that physical appearance?

 

Whereas an objectively attractive girl will see the same video and feel empowered? It really is an interesting topic. I'm definitely trying to look deeper into this.

 

Everything you said. I don't have anything against sexy concepts (quite the contrary) but it's not right to call them feminist either. It's all business in the end. 

 

Same with cute concepts. Personally I find them more degrading tbh. (Tho I enjoy them too if done well)

 

I also agree that cute concepts are more degrading in essence. The cute concepts are specially designed to reach those men who get off on women being submissive, childish and innocent. There's something slightly creepy about the motives behind it, which is sad

 

kpop groups can never be really empowering unless they have control over their image

 

i think gain for example is an artist who seems to be enjoying her sexy image and women find it "jjang" or cool since she's not pretty but she can carry a sexy concept because she is confident..

 

of course you have to analyze the image that an artist is trying to portray in a song/music video/performance before you call it "empowering" its still about context

 

Context is important. And there are female artists who completely embrace sexuality in their own way and have voiced this fact despite the obvious underlying "selling of sex". Gain, Hyuna etc.

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1. Korean Idols (male and female) offer themselves for fan fantasies. Its their job. They make sure that fans can project fantasies onto them. For that, they wear sexy outfits (that they usualy dont wear in real life), lots of accesoirs/jewelery (that they usually dont wear in real life) and heavy so-called "bride makup" (that they usually dont wear in real life).

 

2. Korean Idols (male and female) usually act as if they are in a good mood: smile, laugh, be friendly, open-minded, understanding. Of course it cannot be true that they are all so super-nice and sweet all the time. It can also not be true that they are without flaws. Of course they will have flaws. Every human has them. But they hide it and act as "perfect" and "pure" as they can for the fan fantasies. Because its not about the truth. Its about creating a wonderful illusion for the fan. After all, their job is to be a perfect fan fantasy.

 

3. Now, the same goes for empowering. Its just another one of those wonderful positive things that fans would like to see in their fantasy. SO they get it. Idols act as if sexy dances are empowering because it would make the sexy dances so much sweeter and more loveable if they are for a good cause.

 

So to answer your question: As long as the fans can believe in it, and as long as it makes them happy, they will say its empowering. This is not about truth or lie. This is just about fulfilling fan fantasies. Idols create illusions. The truth is only in the way if you make a good illusion for entertainment.

 

I mean... boygroups dress up as girls for their fans during concert. Surprisingly, they all seem to love cross-dressing. They keep smiling and say in interviews that its soooo much fun.... fullfilling another fan fantasy but i doubt all of them are telling the truth about it.

 

just my opinion.

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Sexuality, sexiness, sexy concepts, exposing skin etc.

 

Empowerment: when you're in control or comfortable in it

 

Not empowerment: when you're being made to do it against your own wishes or better judgement, or when you're being fooled by others that it's ok to do it

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