제 8 호 How far should freedom of artistic expression be allowed?
Kicker: ENTERTAINMENT (SOCIETY PROBLEM)
How Far Should Freedom of Artistic Expression be Allowed?
Artistic Tolerance on the Subject of Women
By Eun-Jae Choi, Reporter
BLACKPINK who are world-famous K-POP star girl group released their new song "Love and Sick Girls" in October. However, controversy has spreads over whether they were distorting the image of nurses and commercializing them as sex products. some suggested that the lyrics should be reflected and viewed as an independent art genre without any specific intention. How far should we allow freedom of artistic expression?
The controversial music video scene of 'Love and sick girls'
Sexual Objectification that has Existed for a Long Time
In fact, nurses are working hard, taking a risk about various diseases and pandemic of corona infection. However, they have been called "agassi" since the past, and their images are distorted by popular culture at a time when costumes are made around uniforms, worsening the image of a branded nurse. Besides nurses, there are people like flight attendants and teachers. There has long been a history of sexual objectification of jobs mainly for women. In addition to the aforementioned BLACKPINK music videos, such problems can be found in many girl group music videos in the past. There have also been many scenes in entertainment and broadcasting programs where people make sexual jokes while having a job with fantasies about uniforms. That is why we need to look at the sexual fixation problems that have existed for a long time.
An Effort to Break Stereotypes
There is also much improvement in sexual problems that have occurred a lot in the past. As an example, Aero K Airlines, a new airline, recently made headlines for introducing uniforms that break away from sexual stereotypes. They corrected the problem of the aforementioned uniform. The airline has come up with a design tailored to the practicality of uniforms. Instead of wearing tight skirts and heels, they chose airy sweatshirts, pants and sneakers. The manufactured uniforms were well received by many as they were made to match the essence of the crew, "safety," rather than the outward "beauty." According to the workers in the job group, these issues should become a social debate because the objectification of uniform grades reduces job value. We have to put a lot of voices into society and solve the problem one by one like the new airline Aero K uniform.
Uniform photos that set 'Aero K' airline safety as a top priority
Examples of Female Demeanor in Art
Problems appear not only in the media but also in webtoons that many people enjoy. The freedom of expression on the subject of women in popular culture cannot be judged as just art, as in the case of ‘Gian84’ and ‘Helper’, which were criticized by many for their misogyny and sensationalism. Webtoon writer Gian84 has caused much controversy in the 'King of Return' series. The controversial webtoon shows Bong Ji-eun, the webtoon's heroine, breaking a big clam on her stomach when the team members dine out, saying "Hard work does not work. and It is not at that level of academic background, specs, and effort." Later, he drew a scene in which an old bachelor in his 40s hired a heroine as an intern with admiration after seeing such behavior. Readers who saw these scenes criticized Gian84 for belittling women, saying, "It implies that the heroine Bong Ji-eun passed the Interview exam after having sex with her male boss." Following the controversy over Gian84's sensitivity to gender awareness, there was also public opinion on the sensationalism of Helper II: Kilberos. Lee Ji-geum, who is considered a cartoon character modeled after the famous singer "IU," was described as a middle school student who almost got sexually abused by the main character. In addition, after being bound naked with the appearance of a female elderly character, there was a scene of torture under drug administration, followed by reports from readers who felt serious about these scenes. Due to many controversies, Naver webtwoon company said it will strengthen its current guidelines in areas where writers can participate in considering their creative parts.
The scene that became a problem in 'The returning king webtoon'
As mentioned earlier, efforts to correct the problems continue, however there are still many unresolved issues. Therefore, works that are called the realm of creation but not reflected in human rights and the times should not be regarded as independent art, nor should they be hidden behind the name of creation. As times goes by, we also have to keep up with the changes and correct the wrong perceptions and thoughts of the past so that we can create a better environment. That is why it should be considered once again if it is proper to express women's sexual objectification in the media and the art world as only provocative elements.
