Rubbing ALL the Wrong Places: K-pop duo Troublemaker

There's a time and place for everything. Apparently now's the time for blatant sexism in kpop oriented media.



Most people don't know that I am immersed into the 'hallyu' world.
If you are unfamiliar with hallyu, it is a term referring to the Korean Wave- the popularisation of Korean media such as K-Pop, Korean Dramas and TV Shows. Most people know the massively famous hit 'Gangnam Style' by Psy (for reference) but that one music video is the tip of the iceberg for what is a fascinating- if not dynamic- aspect of Korean Culture.

Hallyu is most well known for it's k-pop music, made up of young performers called idols. Stars are born from hyper produced factories known as entertainment companies who control every facet of 'the image'. It might seem a little 90's, the concept. Remember Nsync and the Backstreet Boys? But it is not unlike Western media even today as markets thrive through fan culture- selling an appeal, a part of a fantasy even, all in hopes of seducing the masses.

I've been interested in Korean media for several years. Although I've experienced and been immersed into this fan culture of clubs, groups and cult-like followings, I am far from what you would label a 'hallyu fangirl'. My fascination with hallyu comes from my interest in the media, society, and culture. My hobby is observing culture. I doubt I have any emotional connection to Korean celebrities which gives me more of a chance to analyse aspects of Korean media with minimal attachment or bias.

Across all media fronts, sex is the new selling point- for everything from luxury products to household cleaning agents. Usually I don't get so riled up over sexism in the media. It's like an old habit- an addiction even- I don't feel the need to become so self involved because the cause is inherently bound by a futile outcome. But something caught my attention and I thought it was worthwhile discussing. I could write for days on the issue of sexism in South Korean media but I'll get to the point of what has illicit a response from me after staying quiet for so long. 

The issue at hand is a photo teaser the comeback of 'Troublemaker', a duo comprising of Hyuna from the girl group 4minute, and most known for being the no-eyebrows-chick in Psy's 'Gangnam Style' mv, and Hyunseng from label-mate boy band Beast. Both are very attractive twenty-somethings who are very popular idols in Korea ('Idols' are members of boy bands and girl groups with the connotation of being flawless and adored by teenagers who often obsess over these figures as if they were dating them). 

the photo in question

Looking at this photo just makes me feel sorry for society. I don't think I've ever encountered anything that overtly glamourises sexism and ignorance to this extent. Considering the idol market is segmented towards teenagers, I don't even know how to feel. You couldn't even call me a prude- I'm all for getting rid of sexuality as a taboo, especially amongst women- heck, I found the movie Shame amazing, compelling even. Exploring difficult and complex topics is the only way we as a society can progress. 

But come on. I mean, just look at her. She's sitting there damn limp and exposed like a sex toy while he's wearing a suit and gazing right into the camera. She looks passed out, and taken out of context this could be the beginning of a porno or some sort of rape scene. But what's worse is that its masked under the notion of glamour. It's just embarrassing. This photo is not to liberate women and anyone can tell this photo was constructed to appeal to men. 

This isn't the first time 'Troublemaker' has been in hot water. The duo are known for pushing the boundaries, they made waves with their previous self-titled single (Troublemaker) and their extremely risque stage performances that involved crotch crabbing, straddling and almost-kisses. Given Korea's conservative social norms, was speculation that they were in a relationship. 

I will even admit I liked that song, the whistling was super catchy. I barely listen to actual kpop but that was one of the few songs I downloaded and enjoyed. Their performances were borderline baby-making and certainly cringeworthy at times, but the blatant expression of sexuality was different and less unbearable.  But o how I did such a huge 180 after seeing this teaser.

It's promoting the objectification of women in the most obvious way possible. That's probably what I was so taken aback by. There is no mask of liberation, of fun. There's this hyperreal, beautiful glamour involved that evokes the sense of being hip and cool. Because girls being slutty, immobile and half conscious while guys being charismatic, powerful and rich is cool. Gone was the cheekiness of their debut duo song. I just cannot see any redeeming qualities in this image. Can you tell? I was not a happy camper.

A few days later I happened to stumble upon some other images from their comeback teaser. The impact of them admittedly paled in comparison to the first. But still, Hyuna's solo shot  could literally be a picture of any hung over drunk girl in a dingy bathroom. Her face is obscured, anonymised and most importantly, her identity seems entirely unimportant.

She's just stripped down to some hung over looking mannequin with a $200 dye job and perfectly manicured nails. And again the male solo shot is the significantly lesser of two evils. Even his shot is shallow and boring but at least he's looking at the camera.

If it couldn't get any worse, another couple shot reveals them in a suggestively pre-coital scene. Again- default male commanding the camera's gaze with the female looking away. This time Hyuna is clinging onto Hyunseng like thos koala clips that are sold for charity. Her pose is infant-like and entirely reliant on the male. A lot of sexy photos adopt this pose and I don't feel quite offended. Given the context of the previous shots, I couldn't get the thought of how disgustingly blatantly sexist this was out of my mind. 

All I can say is that I'm truly disappointed. Maybe I was losing my mind a little, but I couldn't for the life of me comprehend how much money meant to these people to promote such a thing. I'm not talking about the two performers- who are merely puppets for these large corporations. My judgement rests more on these concept designers, the managers, and CEO who suggest and agree to these things. To the photographer who encouraged it and probably out of ignorance decided to perpetuate the stock-photo-pose objectification of women.

How greedy/lazy must these people be to ignore the fact that they're going to be influencing thousands if not millions in the way they think and act in the future. (Again, NOT the idols themselves. I do not believe that they have much say in the situation. I don't want fangirls up my ass for no reason.) Even in the photo I feel is least harmless of the set, Hyuna is flashing her package without a care in the world and all we get is a flash of Hyunseng's ankle. Oh, the joy.

As long as gender inequality exists in this world, we'll be exposed and desensitised to patriarchal representations of gender roles on not only tv, but film, music, literature, fashion even. This happens in all media globally. I am not attacking Korean media specifically. I've noticed this a lot more in kpop purely because of the cultural differences and rigid gender roles present in Korean society. Their values do reflect on different forms of media, and although sex seems to be a very progressive aspect that is only being represented/accepted in the media more recently, the fact that these types of depictions exist really reveal current societal values. And from what it looks like to me, that's damn disappointing.

I wish he was pants-less and in daggy underwear in the last pic. But we all know that wouldn't happen. The outrage would be deafening.