The Illusion of Female Empowerment in Kpop

[TMI]

A lot of people in kpop seem to think that artists like HyunA, Wassup, etc. are empowering to females because they are known for and focus extensively on their sexy (sexual works better, really) concept. Wrong. Let's break this down into a Q and A:

 

#1 : Who chooses these concepts?

 

9/10 male CEOs and directors choose these concepts for the girls in order to attract a male fanbase. This is EXTREMELY common in the Western music industry and Hollywood. Refer to the story of Janelle Monae, where she was being pressured into being sexy in order to gain fans. What I get from this, and based on what I see from the top female stars in the West, is that women can't get anywhere unless they use their body and reduce themselves to eye-candy/sex toys for the male gaze to prey upon. And weirdly enough, it's the women who support these artists the most. Why? Refer to #2.

 

#2. What exactly is empowering about sexual concepts that are chosen by men? And why is being "sexual" in general considered to be empowering when those involved in cases such as voluntary prostitution would say otherwise?

 

Similar to how some males will tell you anything to get you into bed, the male-owned media has done a fantastic job of influencing young women's perceptions of their self-worth and attractiveness. most young females today think that in order to attract male attention (or any attention, really) to themselves, they ought to be sexy. They have to please males. That's why they often idolize these stars. They want to be like them. They want to get the same attention, and they think that being sexy is the best way to do it. Why do so many young women idolize Marilyn Monroe, a tragic example of male exploitation, versus women like Rosa Parks, or Susan B. Anthony? Why is she always placed on a pedestal, versus these other women? Marilyn was pretty. Marilyn was sexy. All the men wanted Marilyn. And somehow that's where a lot of young women think that their self-worth and charm come from. Their appeal to the opposite sex. Young men have also been brainwashed by the media into thinking that a good female is basically a sex toy and microwave, and push their views on to impressionable young women, exacerbating the issue. 

 

#3. What am I trying to say?

 

Of course, sexuality is an important part of every female. But that is the thing. It's important. It's not a toy or a tool to be used by others. And it's not the origin of your self-worth and attractiveness or charm. And it's not advancing gender equality. Women did not get the right to vote by being sexy. Women did not fight for equality and succeed by being sexy. So, whatever you want to think about sexy concepts, the word empowering should probably be the last thing on your mind.

 

Edit: wrong forum. Mods, please put this in the Lobby.

 

Edit: I am not shading males, I'm presenting what the media wants girls to think. Refer to Answer #2, line 2.

[b l a s i a n]

Uh BEG doesn't fall in line with this at all. Everyone else might so carry on.

[North and South]

Excellent. Well written and a well presented argument dealing how the usage of female sexuality in the entertainment industry does not encourage acceptance of it, rather it just sells it, a fact that sadly many people can't seem to accept.

[Symphonyâ„¢]

 

 

9/10 male CEOs and directors choose these concepts for the girls in order to attract a male fanbase. 

You think they don't do the same to kpop male to attract a female fan base? No kpop Idol has control over their concept.

[bananabrows]

kpop groups in general are not very empowering.

[TMI]

You think they don't do the same to kpop male to attract a female fan base?

Pretty sure the title said female. This is an argument often brought up with female artists and groups, kpop or not.

[SEWER RAT]

I like Koda Kumi.

[Schitstainz]

Uh BEG doesn't fall in line with this at all. Everyone else might so carry on.

BEG, in the past, compared to their Abracadabra days, says otherwise.

[Symphonyâ„¢]

Pretty sure the title said female.

You are saying like males don't have the same problem.

[Cloud Of Perception]

but isnt this stereotyping men as sex hungry beasts or have you forgot that men have standards that we have to live up as well in the media.  Im not saying that what you are saying is completely wrong but in your effort to prove your point you have downgraded men as sex craving animals that arent interested in any other type of girl other than a sexy one.

[TMI]

You are saying like males don't have the same problem.

 

You are saying like males don't have the same problem.

Then create a thread about the male problem then. 

[SAYAKA]

this is very true. There really isn't a lot of "empowering" in KPOP

[TMI]

but isnt this stereotyping men as sex hungry beasts or have you forgot that men have standards that we to live up as well in the media.  Im not saying that what you are saying id completely wrong but in your effort to prove your point you have downgraded men as sex craving.

No, I totally get that. This is what the media WANTS you think, versus what's real. If you notice, I never said "males want sex, that's all they see in a girl", I said the media WANTS you to think that way.

[fuckJohnny]

Not that I disagree there is nothing wrong with a female that is in charge of her sexuality and is a sexual being. 

I don't understand why being/looking sexy is so negative nowadays. 

[Symphonyâ„¢]

Then create a thread about the male problem then. 

No, To many bleeding vaginas on this site for that.

[Irrelephant]

I know you're trying to address sexism, but the argument turned out to be sexist so I lost track of your point

[Regina]

#2. What exactly is empowering about sexual concepts that are chosen by men? And why is being "sexual" in general considered to be empowering when those involved in cases such as voluntary prostitution would say otherwise?

 

Somehow feminism went from "I have the right to vote and be paid just as much as the man next to me. I am a human and my opinions matter!" to "When I get on my knees and choke on this guys dick, like the piece of meat he thinks I am, it's empowering because I'm in control of my sexuality and what I'm doing with my body!." It's so stupid  and half ass backwards.

[fuckJohnny]

#3. What am I trying to say?

 

Of course, sexuality is an important part of every female. But that is the thing. It's important. It's not a toy or a tool to be used by others. And it's not the origin of your self-worth and attractiveness or charm. And it's not advancing gender equality. Women did not get the right to vote by being sexy. Women did not fight for equality and succeed by being sexy. So, whatever you want to think about sexy concepts, the word empowering should probably be the last thing on your mind.

 

This makes no sense. Also why did you not address the cute concept?

 

 

Excellent. Well written and a well presented argument dealing how the usage of female sexuality in the entertainment industry does not encourage acceptance of it, rather it just sells it, a fact that sadly many people can't seem to accept.

But women want to be attractive and feel attractive. What is wrong with that? What is wrong with showing their bodies?

Idgi. It's like some of you are saying that they should dress in a fucking gown, covered from head to toe.

[Cloud Of Perception]

No, I totally get that. This is what the media WANTS you think, versus what's real. If you notice, I never said "males want sex, that's all they see in a girl", I said the media WANTS you to think that way.

oh ok sorry i misunderstood a bit

[TMI]

This makes no sense. Also why did you not address the cute concept?

You can make a thread about the cute concept if you like. I haven't really explored that, so I stick to what I know.

[PALEMOCHI]

I don't ever remember think any group was empowering

[dayNight]

Thoughtful post.  Excellent point about how young girls think being sexy is being empowered when it's actually quite far from the truth.  

[fuckJohnny]

You can make a thread about the cute concept if you like. I haven't really explored that, so I stick to what I know.

 

I think it's silly how people see sexy concepts as something super degrading and what now yet say nothing about cute concepts. Like I said there is nothing wrong with being sexual and exposing your body.

[TMI]

 

This makes no sense. Also why did you not address the cute concept?

 

 

But women want to be attractive and feel attractive. What is wrong with that? What is wrong with showing their bodies?

Idgi. It's like some of you are saying that they should dress in a fucking gown, covered from head to toe.

No one said they had to be covered up from head to toe, or not look pretty, I'm just saying that it isn't as empowering as many young girls think, and if you think that that is the best way to attract the right kind of attention to yourself then you're wrong. That's the point. I see it missed you completely.

[ezgiT]

what you said is very true! 

 

in terms of empowerment in kpop, Take lee hyori, her concepts of sexy might of been chosen in the past, but are deffo now chosen by her to empower Women! she talks about empowerment a lot in miss korea mv

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx0Xf2vMcu4

 

bad girls as well! she talks about sexuality in this and how society precieves women who stand up for themselves as bad girls when really they're not

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aOxVEZbPJM

 

U GO GIRL as well