HYBE and Belift Lab's ILLIT has hit the internet as a global sensation with their first single "Magnetic" with over 86 million views on YouTube! "Magnetic" also broke into Billboard's Top 100 at 91 in April! Everyone can agree that their music is good, and their choreography looks fresh. But some Korean netizens have been triggered by ILLIT's costumes claiming they are "too childish" and serve a certain otaku audience. Let's dive into their concerns!
Many Korean netizens have criticized the group for being "too skinny" and the clothes/costumes look "too childish" resembling a Japanese pop group. The word for this type of obsession or fetish is "otaku". According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "otaku" is "a person having an intense or obsessive interest, especially in the fields of anime and manga." Everyone knows that HYBE's chairman, Bang Si Hyuk, is a fan of otaku and he himself has expressed his interest in the genre multiple times. Could ILLIT be his "experiment" for otaku?
Some Korean netizens have expressed their opinions online about ILLIT's costumes and live gestures.
"NewJeans otaku version made by Bang Si Hyuk."
"It's like baby clothes..."
"It (the costumes) are too revealing."
Looking at ILLIT's costumes/outfits during their performances, you can see what Korean netizens are picking about. The skirts are a little short and the "otaku" concept is a little "old school" and overdone by their Japanese pop counterparts.
However, there are many fans who would beg to differ and voiced their opinions countering the above comments.
"A Japanese fashion genre is different than children xx"
"It is popular these days at Daiso as a princess set."
"It's not that they're aiming for a specific perversion."
"There are a lot of people saying their outfits appeal to cuteness."
Whether you like it or not, it feels like "otaku costume play in Japan". A lot of people agree. Of course, this is just ILLIT's first single and image. They have changed many outfits during "Magnetic's" promotion. Comment below with your thoughts on ILLIT's outfits! Do you have any favorites?