P1Harmony’s Concept Sparks Debate On “Educated And Woke” Idols

P1Harmony‘s viral concept has sparked unexpected debate online.

P1Harmony | FNC Entertainment

P1Harmony are currently scheduled to make their comeback on September 20 with their 7th mini-album, SAD SONG. So far, the group have released several image and video teasers, including for the album’s title track.

7th Mini Album [SAD SONG]
‘SAD SONG’ MV TEASER

YOUTUBE – https://t.co/k8oB44DeIG

🔥 RELEASE 2024.09.20 1PM (KST)

Get tickets now :https://t.co/c1VVHyZY5R#P1Harmony #피원하모니 #P1H #SAD_SONG pic.twitter.com/lYrsgdZEqQ

— P1Harmony official (@P1H_official) September 15, 2024

Days before this, the group released a concept video titled “OUT OF CONTEXT ____,” featuring a track likely from the album. The video shows the group members assembling before an outfit change, and is visually striking.

However, the visuals have also sparked some debate and controversy online.

Halfway through the video, the members have a Sailor Moon-esque transformation into outfits featuring large white tee-shirts, scarves, and jeans.

These same outfits are featured in the group’s track sampler as a hip-hop heavy sounding track is played.

This clip, primarily featuring Intak was posted online, going viral as many discussed his look. While he is wearing a scarf, many felt it was meant to look like a durag, a protective hair covering worn by Black People.

oh yeah niggaharmony is debuting soon guys pic.twitter.com/csuZDEQk56

— 🇵🇸 ミ☆ ken | #JILIX DAY (@shockingkenz) September 13, 2024

Many felt that it was meant to mimic Black people, which is a form of cultural appropriation.

Y'all praised p1h rap line too much so now they think they can do whatever they want. Its not abt the scarf. It's the hole vibe, the mannerisms. it's obvious. They tried to mimick black pple aesthetic. They fell into stereotypes. Sorry they look ridiculous. https://t.co/zjGwYmSPv1

— Secret promoter (@stallar260911) September 14, 2024

the problem here isn’t if it’s a durag or not but the fact that this whole mv looks like a cosplay of black people down to the adlibs https://t.co/opJn5EYapD

— dahlia ⁰-¹|gyuvin day!! 🥳 (@kamsluvr) September 15, 2024

THE GUN SOUNDS?? HOW MANY TIMES I GOTTA SAY YALL DONT GET GUNS IN UR COUNTRY. https://t.co/VbgojJ949m

— cha ~ free 🍉 (@irlneul) September 13, 2024

This criticism also caused what was said in a previous interview by Keeho to resurface.

During an interview with Zach Sang in 2022, when asked by the host if cultural appropriation was on their minds when coming up with their look, Keeho answered affirmatively.

I believe it’s a responsibility and I also feel like if you’re gonna have that big of a platform, you need to be able to respect and appreciate all cultures without appropriating them. Whenever it comes to our styling, our music, or whatever — it’s always a sensitive topic that we always have to think once, three times, four times about in every step of the way, visually or musically or the language itself. Obviously there’s AAVE and a whole bunch of other cultural stuff that is very sensitive and so we need to respect that, and I feel like it’s a responsibility to, so I feel like it’s something that we’re always thinking about and taking action about.

— Keeho

keeho speaking abt cultural appropriation and how they actively think to make sure they are respectful throughout the entire music making/video-making process pic.twitter.com/LnWx3cZUsN

— out of context keeho loops (@keeho_loops) June 2, 2022

With this in mind, many have questioned how this concept came about.

This is so stupid to say bc keeho has literally spoken on ca in the K-pop community, so it’s not that far off to think that he would check his own group members when they do something disrespectful . Y’all get on here everyday to say something stupid and it’s very tiring atp! https://t.co/UZtRM4Y8vK pic.twitter.com/azaeWEekwv

— Gabby (@GabbyUrwild22) September 15, 2024

this coming after keeho talked about cultural appropriation https://t.co/QDuLn6AH5Y pic.twitter.com/oufCUAEGkc

— ess (@Y2KSOOBIN) September 13, 2024

Keeho should've never said what he said at that interview with Tetris. Especially if he knows he doesn't have control over mv or outfits, because then you just set urself up like this , Korea and Japan have a bad problem with wanting to be black and they have for a long time https://t.co/DS5M0Z8dnz

— Czarw (@lopunny_meowsti) September 14, 2024

On the other hand, others have pointed out that it is not Keeho’s responsibility and that he may not have control over the outfits and concepts performed by the group.

“and keeho allowed this???” idk why yall expecting a nonblack man to keep his fellow nonblack groupmates in check on black culture

— dia day🤍 (@dimefiles) September 14, 2024

people always expect the english speaking idol to know about every culture and know when something is CA https://t.co/XfoFuNmlIM

— vivi (@twicepunch) September 14, 2024

no cuz people act like keeho is
1) a manager that even has a say in what the group does
2) some type of culture police
i feel like people who keep themselves in check don’t have an obligation to police everyone in their lives ppl should try to educate themselves https://t.co/86ISd1PztN

— bambi 🥨 (@jks_bambi) September 15, 2024