As the awakening of female power has been on the rise, this trend of feminism can not only be seen with official feminists but also with cultural symbols such as K-pop. K-pop, which refers to Korean popular music, originated in South Korea. Usually in the form of boy and girl band groups, these K-pop music and culture have spread globally, gaining international fanbases and recognition.
(Source: Official (G)I-DLE Instagram)
Taking the popular girl band group (G)I-DLE as an example. (G)I-DLE is a K-pop band group under the entertainment company CUBE Entertainment. With 5 members – Soyeon, Miyeon, Minnie, Yuqi, and Shuhua – it has gained considerable popularity globally. Especially with the songwriting and producing talent of its leader Soyeon, (G)I-DLE is known for their ear-catching and upbeat melodies in their songs.
(Source: Official (G)I-DLE Instagram)
Particularly in the album released in 2023, I Feel, the girls from (G)I-DLE won the Golden Disc Award Song Division with the song “Queencard.” Queencard is known for its rhythmic melodies in the chorus and its lyrics that showcase female power: “My beauty doesn’t take time off. It shines from head to toe, I’m sparkling.”
(Source: (G)I-DLE “Queencard” Official Music Video)
Queencard was not the first time the girls have shown off their confidence as females. Previously in 2022, in the album I Love, the song “Nxde” sparked numerous discussions online. The main message of this song was the independent power of women, which extends beyond the stereotype of “sweet and obedient” under the common male gaze. While some men usually consider women in a sexual context when seeing the word “nude,” this song courageously challenged this prevalent viewpoint by emphasizing women’s “nude” being a symbol of a true, undisguised self instead of a medium for sexual fantasies. As women take off their clothing, they are not looking for the nebulous love of men but instead “put[ing] on [their] beautiful sel[ves].” Along with the melodies, the girls blatantly claim how the “prejudice” from male gazes and sexual fantasies “make[s] me sick.”
(Source: (G)I-DLE “Nxde” Official Music Video)
As K-pop culture continues to be influential, especially among young people’s lives, it is very probable that songs like those from (G)I-IDLE will play a significant role in impacting our youths. Perhaps instead of social sciences research papers, popular culture will rise as the more effective and relatable medium for youths to access novel thoughts and perspectives.