Netizens Express Disappointment Over Selective Criticism in K-pop Idols Wearing Nurse Uniform in MV

On various social media platforms, internet users particularly K-pop fans express their frustrations over double standards in female idols wearing nurse outfits in MV.

In particular, it all started when BLACKPINK’s Jennie and their group’s cordi faced criticism when she appeared wearing a nurse uniform on their recently released track, “Lovesick Girls,” music video.

Due to the surge of claims that it allegedly indicts sexual objectification of the front liners, the Korean Health and Medical Workers Union expressed their views about the music video scene and encourage YG Entertainment to take action regarding the controversy, to not invalidate their fight against sexual objectification and disparagement to nurses.

On October 7 then, YG Entertainment, the agency of the group released its official statement saying,” We decided to delete all scenes of BLACKPINK’s ‘Lovesick Girls’ music video with nurse uniforms and will replace the video as soon as possible.”

The agency also conveyed their apologies to all nurses who felt uncomfortable and affirmed that they will reflect on it. Though, they also claimed that there is no intention of sexual objectification in the MV by wearing a nurse outfit.

However, fans and supporters of BLACKPINK are not happy about the deletion of the scene and the negative feedback being thrown to the members and to the agency. According to the netizens, there is nothing’s wrong with the scene, and it was a result of selective criticism.

Some Internet users argue that in the past, MAMAMOO’s music videos also featured nurse costumes, but were not controversial at the time.

In 2016, MAMAMOO appeared in nurse uniforms as well in their track “Um Oh Ah Yeh” MV wherein Solar was seen wearing a nurse outfit and red high heels.

“When MAMAMOO appeared in nurse outfits, it was due to their girl’s crush image.”

Due to this, Park Sungmin, the supreme council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is also receiving sharp reactions.

“YG finally decided to delete the music video’s scene because the ruling party lawmaker spoke without any standards,” one netizen complained.

As the controversy over BLACKPINK’s nurse outfit was exposed to the public, netizens also refuted the claims that it is due to double standards or selective criticisms.

When people compared various female groups including MAMAMOO and BLACKPINK wearing the uniform in their MVs, some fans and netizens say there’s no need to compare and drag other groups over the issue,

“We need to reflect the times and find songs or concepts suitable for society. What’s the point of bringing the old ones?”

Other fans expressed that in the past, there are few people who are only speaking regarding the disparagement to the front liners. But it only surfaces as BLACKPINK holds a huge fandom and tons of people are observing every move they will do as one of the biggest groups that carry immense popularity and influence.

Hwang Jin Mi, a cultural critic, explained the controversy over the “double standard” by saying, “It is a clear problem to express the nurse’s attire in a distorted way at that time and now,” adding, “However, this time, the issue has only been publicized by the relevant association.

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