K-Pop Songs that Critique the Commodification of Female Idols
It’s no secret that the idol industry can be exploitative of artists, particularly female ones. Women are constantly pigeonholed artistically and often forced to appeal to male audiences and live up to impossibly high standards. There is a lot that needs to be done to alleviate these inequalities, but that doesn’t mean the problems are being ignored. Instead of sitting idly by, these female idols are addressing the struggles of their lifestyles head on in the way they know best: music. If you’re one for supporting the voices of those speaking up for themselves and shedding light on topics that matter, these songs speak to the commodification of female idols in the entertainment industry.
HEIZE - “Mianhae”
HEIZE takes on her role as a celebrity head on in “Mianhae.” With lyrics that demonstrate her inability to be emotional, she reveals the struggles of having to live up to others’ expectations, all while her humanity and autonomy are stripped away. Some people forget that idols are humans and this song attests to this sad reality while giving us an inside look into HEIZE’s own emotional battles. While attempting to do what she loves, she must adhere to a set of expectations that have nothing to do with music and this song highlights that in an honest way. The music video amplifies the lyrics with HEIZE sitting on an operating table surrounded by mannequin parts, trapped under plastic, and immortalized as a robotic body to be experimented on. She is even put on display with people gawking and recording her intently, a scene not unfamiliar to someone of her caliber. It’s a thought-provoking personification that forces us to reevaluate our standards for the people whose music we enjoy. In an artistic representation, it becomes easy to sympathize with HEIZE and notice the small things that may lead to bigger issues.
Orange Caramel - “Catallena”
Incorporating a Punjabi folk song in the chorus, this song by Orange Caramel is the iconic epitome of a metaphorical social statement. The video shows the girls dressed as fish in plastic wrapping, even being eaten like sushi and posed with prices. The message of them being sold and treated as property is clear with these images and emphasizes how normalized it is for public figures to be consumed and disregarded. Dressed to the nines in outfits equal parts doll-like and fabulous, with a mod-twist, they get the point across in a visually appealing and slightly amusing way. No wonder it’s a classic.
HyunA - “Babe”
The lyrics to this song take a subtle yet metaphorically significant comparison to HyunA’s life in the spotlight. With lyrics like, “Why do you treat me like a baby?” HyunA questions the public’s perception and stereotypes while also talking about her age. Though she dances throughout most of the video, at one point, she stops and walks away from the spotlight, which can lead to many different interpretations. In the song, she constantly asks, “How am I?” as if checking to make sure her appearance is to the audience’s liking. The infantilization of Korean stars is no new concept, but HyunA does a great job at shedding light on her own relationship with image.
TWICE - “Fake & True”
This Japanese single was released by TWICE in late 2019 and offers sensational life lessons and outfit inspiration in one beautiful package. Some may consider it underrated compared to other TWICE songs, but it’s simply too nuanced for the common ear. The concept of “Fake & True” grapples with a person’s relationship with themselves and their dreams and being able to sort what’s real and what’s fake. As a person in the spotlight, dealing with reality can be even more difficult and TWICE illustrates this through various imagery like mirrors and virtual reality goggles. The meaning can be lost if one simply enjoys the catchy tune and delightful visuals, but this retro-style pop song is more than meets the eye and definitely comes for the hard life of an idol, even if in a more subtle and easily-digestible way.
EXID - “Ah Yeah”
EXID are veterans when it comes to feminist-inspired themes in their music, making it no surprise that this song perfectly sums up how women feel when being harassed by men. Airing out all the dirty laundry through both music video and song, they make it clear that yes means yes and no means no. The song doesn’t sugarcoat by any means, making it even more of a standout track. The video alludes to provocative scenes with blurred screens appearing throughout. The presence of men in different working environments and even the dance moves touch on the subject of women performing for the likes of the public gaze, with EXID proving their dominance and defiance in the most confident manner possible.
With various artistic and metaphorical symbols, these women are demanding respect and airing their grievances in the ways that suit them best. There’s a certain power in calling out deeply rooted and often misogynistic practices and with these songs in tow, the patriarchy has no chance. Hopefully we see more idols getting candid with audiences about the issues that affect them in order to make real change.