Commentary: Sexy Almost-Lesbians

This post is rated 15+. Proceed at your own risk.

All comments are the author's own view and do not reflect KWS as a whole.

Brown Eyed Girls' 'Abracadabra'

There's been a recent Kpop gimmick going around: girl on girl action. In a country that is far from sexually open, it's a bit surprising how often there are lesbian scenes in music videos or girl vs. girl almost-kisses in photoshoots. Of course, it's not just in Korea; even in Western countries, girl on girl action is stereotypically considered hot and steamy. I mean, how many spring break movies have girls getting drunk and making out with each other? This, in a way, causes fetishization of lesbians, and, indeed, homosexuality as a whole.

More often than not, girls in these situations act sexually obscure in order to portray a femme fatale or independent women image. I find this a bit offensive; these women only gain the upper-hand in a power dynamic with other women. It's particularly ironic in "Female President" by Girls' Day. The lyrics in the song promote a take-charge attitude for girls:

Girls' Day's 'Female President'

We have a female president

Why so serious? What’s the problem?

If a girl kisses first, she gets arrested or what?

Come up to him and kiss him first

Now is the time, you can start first

(via kpoplyrics.net)

With such a message, it would seem obvious to have one of the girls taking charge with their boyfriend, right? Instead, the video shows the girls taking charge with each other. I understand enticing a certain viewership with kinky or otherwise sexual images, but in a song about strong women, shouldn't it focus on that strength? Or at least the kind of womanly strength promoted in the song lyrics?

RaNia in Maxim

In other cases, groups known for being scandalous and sexy push boundaries little bit further. Take this picture of RaNia from Maxim. Rania, as we've talked about before, is a group known for one thing from their debut: their bodies and provocative dancing. It may or may not be the idols' choices to wear what they wear or pose in such an obviously provocative way, but it's certainly not discouraged by their companies. In an effort to always be cutting edge, Kpop companies may be taking sexualization (of both sexes) a bit too far.

Nine Muses' 'Wild'

Like hot pants, this sexualization of idols may sell, but it hasn't become trendy in mainstream Korea. In other words, idols are the exceptions. And that's why the Ministry of Gender Equality & Family has banned music videos with homosexual undertones (or overtones, for that matter). For example, this year, Nine Muses' "Wild" was deemed 19+ for provocativeness.

I can't really fight these images without knowing if the girls themselves wanted to be portrayed in such a way. And I'm not sure they are 100% bad. Sex sells. We all know what the oldest profession is, and these images of girl on girl action don't seem deeming on the surface. Perhaps I have it wrong, and they do not harm female independence at all. I mean, wasn't the kiss scene in 'Abracadabra' Ga-In's idea? She was trying to serve Korea a shocking reality check; testing the social norms as it were. And that is what being an artist is about. So I guess pushing sexual boundaries is inevitable in any artistic media.

What are your thoughts on girl on girl action in Kpop? Is it attractive? Out of place in Korea? Good for social commentary? Want me to talk about guy on guy action? Please leave a comment below.

--Lauren

P.S. I'm quaking in anticipation for the day when someone actually kisses instead of just looking like they are on the brink of it. What a riot that will be.

im cr. tumblr, youtube, newsen, as linked

Get the Look: RaNia & Bikini Season

(sorry guys, this one is for the ladies)

By now, I think we've all seen RaNia's bikini pictures for their Woongjin Play City CF. And I'm sure man of us (myself included) were quite envious of their fabulous bodies. While I can't magically give you great '11' abs or perfect skin, hair, legs, etc., with a bathing suit that flatter's your body, feeling sexy is almost 100% guaranteed. So let's take a look at some suits that are guaranteed to make you feel fresh.

Just go again

We have yet another fashion find from Rania's 'Just go' MV

(you can see the other ones here)

Di is wearing the Ear Cuff E8 from Mzuu.

Buy it here

--Eliza

Credits:DRmusic ,Mzuu

Just Go

On March 7, Rania released their new MV 'Just Go'. As expected, Rania came back with a sexy concept, and I must say, no one beat them when it comes to sexy moves.

On with the fashion finds~

Jooyi is wearing the Key Chained Necklace from Stylenanda, and you can buy it here.

T-ae wore the Print Beading Frill Jk from Greedilous, and you can buy it here.

She also wore a pair of Jeffrey Campbell Lita in neon orange (buy them here).

While looking for finds,I came across Rania's 'Style' MV, and I watched it again, so we also have some finds from this MV. (I know the MV is kinda old but hope you don't mind).

We previously posted a find for this MV, and you can see it here.

T-ae's dress is from KTZ Spring 2012 collection but can't find it :(.

I couldn't find the exact same shoes, since it's been a while since the MV was released, but it's a combination between the two shoes listed: These flame shoes are from Prada.

Riko is wearing the Black and White Patterned Low-rise Pants from Balmain. 

Too bad that she won't promote 'Just Go' :(.

 Di wore a jacket, top and skirt from Adidas x Opening Ceremony collaboration.

She also sported this edgy silver jacket from Burberry Prorsum. 2ne1's Minzy also wore this jacket.

Which MV's fashion did you like better, "Just Go" or "Style"?

 --Eliza

Credits: DRmusic,Burberry prorsum,Adidas,Prada,KTZ,Greendilous,Jeffrey Campbell,Stylenanda

Balencing RaNia

I was excited for RaNia's comeback, now even more so because I've heard the song and seen the influence YG had on it. And like any YG-related artist, the fashion was prominent.

In the music video, Riko  wore a pair of pants seen on American actress Kristen Stewart.

These wild pants are from Balenciaga. No buylink, please comment if you have one.

--Lauren

source: people mag. , youtube, myteresa