ILLIT’s Comeback Accused Of Sexualizing Uniforms

Their comeback features a police theme. Koreaboo Just now Girl group ILLIT has come under fire from Korean netizens over their police-inspired outfits for their new song, “You’re Under Arrest,” with critics accusing the group’s agency, HYBE, of sexualizing female police officers. The controversy began after the group unveiled their new concept, which features the members dressed in stylized police uniforms. Rather than traditional police attire, the outfits incorporate short skirts, tight tops, knee-high socks, and garter-style details, creating a distinctly feminine interpretation of law enforcement uniforms. While uniform-inspired costumes have long been used in K-Pop performances, some Korean netizens have argued that ILLIT’s styling crosses a line by turning the professional uniforms of female police officers into something unnecessarily sexualized. The criticism has been particularly directed at HYBE and the creative team responsible for the concept, rather than the individual members. One netizen questioned why the company would choose such a concept in the current social climate. 하이브는 지금 시대가 어느시대인데 직업성적대상화를 하는거임? 어떤 여성경찰이 저런 민소매 니삭스 미니스커트 허리선 들어간 경찰복을 입고 호루라기를 불면서 행동하는데 여성직업...