Kpop girl group (G)I-DLE apologizes for illegally using the Korean Red Cross symbol on their performance costumes.

(G)I-DLE’s management company, Cube Entertainment, apologized to relevant parties for using the logo for the wrong purpose after facing many criticisms about their stage costumes, according to Koreatimes.

“We have contacted the Korean Red Cross to apologize and are actively cooperating to prevent a recurrence and take further measures,” the company said. “We sincerely apologize to the parties involved for the incident.”

Nhóm (G)I-DLE (trái) và các thành viên của Hội Chữ thập đỏ Hàn Quốc đóng gói các bộ dụng cụ cứu trợ thiên tai để chuyển đến các khu vực bị ảnh hưởng bởi trận mưa lớn tại chi nhánh Gyeonggi ngày 15/7. Ảnh: Yonhap.

Controversy broke out on July 19 when (G)I-DLE performed the new song Klaxon on Music Bank. On stage, the members wore costumes with the Red Cross logo printed on them, leading to harsh criticism from the online community.

Tiền PhongNhóm (G)I-DLE (trái) và các thành viên của Hội Chữ thập đỏ Hàn Quốc đóng gói các bộ dụng cụ cứu trợ thiên tai để chuyển đến các khu vực bị ảnh hưởng bởi trận mưa lớn tại chi nhánh Gyeonggi ngày 15/7. Ảnh: Yonhap.1 Nhóm (G)I-DLE (trái) và các thành viên của Hội Chữ thập đỏ Hàn Quốc đóng gói các bộ dụng cụ cứu trợ thiên tai để chuyển đến các khu vực bị ảnh hưởng bởi trận mưa lớn tại chi nhánh Gyeonggi ngày 15/7. Ảnh: Yonhap.
According to Article 25 of the Korean Red Cross Law, the use of the Red Cross symbol is strictly prohibited by any individual or organization that is not a Red Cross Society or has not been approved by the military medical agency, the Society Red Cross approved.

Violators could face fines of up to 5-10 million won ($3,600 -7,200).

This is not the first time a Kpop idol group has caused controversy because of inappropriate outfits.

In October 2020, Jennie (BlackPink) was condemned for dressing like a nurse in the music video Lovesick Girls. The outfit was criticized for being offensive because it distorted the image of female nurses and offended people in the industry.

MV Lovesick Girls của BlackPink có cảnh Jennie mặc trang phục y tá gây tranh cãi. Cảnh này đã bị xóa sau khi nhóm bị chỉ trích. Ảnh: Chụp từ YouTube.

The Korean Health and Medical Union objected to this depiction, saying the hood, tight short skirt, and high heels were completely different from the image of a real-life nurse. Excessive costume variations and sexualization of the image of female nurses cause negative impacts.

Many idols have made this mistake, like girl group A.I.N in their debut MV Candy Girl. The group received “criticism” for transforming into nurses in tight short skirts and low-cut tops. Groups Mamamoo and SNSD were caught up in a similar controversy in the MV Mr.Mr.

In March 2016, Tzuyu (Twice member) – then 17 years old – wore a T-shirt with vulgar words on a music show. Her management company, JYP Entertainment, admitted the mistake of not carefully checking the outfit and apologized, promising to “be more cautious to avoid similar mistakes”.