Is there a difference in how we perceive and react to the sexualization of idols when the idol is male vs female?

I think Monsta X seems to be something of an anomaly in that they seem to lean pretty hard into being a sexy male group. I mean, how many other groups would do Love U?

I think it makes me less uncomfortable in groups like Monsta X who seem to have a lot of control over their songs and concepts vs. say, Stellar, who really don't. Even comparing girls to girls, EXID had a strong sexy concept too that was carried through in their MVs (e.g. Hot Pink), but they had a lot more agency than Stellar did.

I think there's is a difference in reaction but, at the same time, people tend to talk more not based on gender but because the issue went viral. I say this because there are a lot of talks about sexualizing in kpop, way more than people make threads here or become big issues, people call out lyrics, dance moves, outifts etc In all kpop male groups with minors I've seen fans calling out creppy behaviour, it's just that it don't become "news".

I guess the issue comes down to

1. are there minors involved - if so then any form of sexualisation intended or otherwise is a big nono

2. how in control are the members in the creation and participation of the concept/outfits etc etc

No I don’t think so. It only depends on if any of the idols are underage like in the case of lesser film.

Oh I just read your OP

I think there’s a difference. For example if a woman is uncomfortable the thought process is oh my chest or ass is showing some perv might see me and sexualize me.

If a man is uncomfortable in his clothes it’s usually more because he is just embarrassed or shy about it and less about him fearing being perv’d upon or fearing upskirt/down blouse shots.

No one should feel uncomfortable in what they wear that’s a separate issue. But ofc men and women being uncomfortable in clothes doesn’t have the same severity in response and that’s justified.

Quote from MissBehave

Wait... don't you always read my ops before replying? Lol

I reply to the thread title. I thought it was about comebacks at first

Quote from MissBehave

I do think people generally are respectful of underage idols. I was more wondering if people react to adult idols differently. I once saw some comments about how bgs would do things like lift their shirts to "tease" but ggs wouldn't be able to get away with similar sexy moves. I don't follow ggs enough to know though

But the men aren’t wearing mini skirt and shorts either so I’d say that’s more like feminine Vs masculine way to show off skin per Korean standards rather than saying there are no sexy moves. In fact I’d say the women are usually showing more skin by default that they don’t have to go out of the way to reveal more because there’s very little left.

Quote from MissBehave

I do think people generally are respectful of underage idols. I was more wondering if people react to adult idols differently. I once saw some comments about how bgs would do things like lift their shirts to "tease" but ggs wouldn't be able to get away with similar sexy moves. I don't follow ggs enough to know though

Ooh I think then I didn't understand your OP clearly, from this post I think you're talking more about double standards on sexy concepts for groups whereas I understood that you asked if people were more lenient on uncomfortableness of male idols when they do sexy concepts they might not like and more aware of female idols going through the same thing

Answering your reply: whoever said this is wrong, girl groups have already released plenty of very sexy choreo (i.e.: girl's day something, adult cerimony etc) and life went on normally. That said, in the broad aspect of things, women tend to be judged harsher than men, and I'm sure those choreos were criticized by people who wouldn't do the same towards men.

Quote from MissBehave

that's a good point. The ggs are usually wearing very short skirts but then showing a lot of leg doesn't seem as sexualized in SK as it is elsewhere. I think a more apt comparison would be cleavage and revealing a lot of cleavage does seem to still be frowned upon. Also, so ggs get flack for overtly sexy dance moves?

Hmmm I don’t really agree there are dedicated fancams just to take upskirt shots of women in short skirts. Like just see some of the thumbnails on their gg fancams. The short mini skirts are definitely sexual and meant to be enticing. (Nothing inherently wrong I love sexy woman) but it is what it is.

There is cleavage, there are navels, there’s legs tbh sexualized woman are so normalized in media while men are always covered up head to toe so they show a bit of abs and it’s all “OMG LOOK SEXY CONCEPT”

It’s actually pretty sad now that I thought about it more. Sexy is the default state of being for women. Even cute concept are meant to appeal in a “innocent sexy” way.

So the answer to your question is sadder than I expected : being sexy is expected and normalized for women while it’s merely a novelty for the men.