Korean Netizens Divided Over Hwasa's Controversial Performance at a University Festival

MAMAMOO's Hwasa recently became a subject of controversy after a clip from her performance at the Sungkyunkwan University festival made rounds all over South Korean online community boards.

one more angle #HWASA pic.twitter.com/oG8ZqkLkAS

— mamamoo files (@mamamoofiles) May 12, 2023

Hwasa's movements during the performance receieved mostly criticisms, with some pointng that the singer had crossed the line between sexy and inappropriate. However, Hwasa also recieved support from people who complimented her confidence and artistic performance. In addition, they also called out the double standards between female and male performancers.

The performance garnered comments from Korean netizens, such as:

• I guess she wanted to imitate foreign artists.
• Honestly, I don't know how to look at the moves to see if they're an artistic performance... If it's performance and art, please explain the deep meaning of that move.
  • If that is a real “art,” you should be able to proudly show it in front of your parents and family.
  • I think Rihanna's 'work' performance is more suggestive than this.
  • I enjoy watching Rihanna and Hwasa's videos, but there are many people who like what Rihanna does in foreign countries and not much in Korea. There's nothing much artists can do but be careful.
• It's embarrassing.
• Cardi B and Rihanna dance like that all the time. It's fine.
• It's a supply without demand.
• Regardless of what Hwasa will and won't do, she's not doing anything to you.
• If BLACKPINK did this, all of you wouldn't have any complaints.
• It's so vulgar that I'm left speechless.
• I like Hwasa's confidence.
• The entertainment industry and society seem to be getting more and more strangely American.
• When you watch her in variety shows, she seems very shy and quiet, but when she goes on stage, she becomes a different person.
• Isn't this like sexually harassing the audience?
• People from Jeolla-do have strong personalities
• If a male idol did that, I think he would have been buried haha
• It's not her own concert. It's a college festival.
• Hwasa is only getting criticized because no one else does it here.
• If it's artistic, it should be able to do it at events with many world leaders.
• All I can think of is how dirty it is.
• Male fans like it, female fans don't.
• It's artistic.

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