Kwon Eun Bi's performance at the '2025 Waterbomb' festival
On July 6, the singer took the stage at the '2025 Waterbomb festival,' where she reunited with Lee Si An to perform “Rumor,” a stage they originally showcased on 'Produce 48.' She also wowed the audience with a cover of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love.”
Kwon Eun Bi especially turned heads with her fresh summer look, appearing on stage in short denim shorts and a red checkered shirring blouse with a knitted white bikini top underneath. During the performance, she dramatically untied the blouse, which sparked a debate online.
Korean netizens give a mixed reaction, ranging from criticism to concern
Kwon Eun Bi earned the nickname 'waterbomb goddess' for her stunning performance during the festival in 2023. However, her latest performance this year is drawing mixed reactions online, in various Korean communities and discussion forums.
Many Korean netizens voiced criticism over Kwon Eun Bi’s performance, saying it was overly sexualized.
"It feels overly sexualized, and I really hate it."
"It's not just the outfit; the choreography included a lot of purposely jiggly moves. It felt weird... how is this different from an Afreeca TV streamer?"
"I’m a Eunbi fan, but I’m just sad that her selling point has gone in this direction.
"Honestly, I was shocked watching the video. People say it's fine because she has a good body, but... really? Other female idols are being blamed because of her. Now people say they had to cover up because of Eunbi. This whole Waterbomb thing is so harmful."
"I feel like it would’ve been just right if she hadn’t taken off the shirt. I don’t understand why sideboob is being equated with male idols going shirtless...
"I really hope this doesn’t affect other idols, but it’s kind of scary."
"Don’t call her 'just an idol' anymore. She’s setting a harmful precedent for others. No wonder fans get upset when their idols are scheduled for Waterbomb."
"People who say it was too much are basing it on the video. If it were just photos, no one would be talking. And no, others didn’t wear the same level of revealing clothes."
"I couldn’t even finish the video because I was so anxious something would slip... I hope she doesn’t limit herself to this kind of selling point."
"The dancing was straight-up sexual, clearly meant to be provocative. It looked just like those adult streamers. Fans used to post about sexual harassment complaints, and now I just don’t want to see it anymore. If that happens, deal with it legally, but don’t drag it here."
"Have you lost your mind?
"To the girls saying it’s fine because they like hot bodies too: get a grip. That's not empowerment, that's just feeding into the male consumerism. This leads to more young idols being pressured to wear less."
"The choreography was blatantly sexual. Even if she had been fully covered, it would've still been a lot. Grinding on the floor, shaking up and down, hip thrusts… all while wearing a bikini that only covered a triangle of her chest? Clearly intentional."
" It was bouncing around so much, I was nervous. Good thing it stayed in place. But hey, she bought a building with that."
"Saying 'it looks inappropriate' doesn’t mean jealousy. I just think it’s vulgar. Not everyone wants big boobs."
"Honestly, the outfit was revealing, and the choreography looked like something from a live cam stream. Could she do that dance on broadcast TV? No way."
"I like Eunbi and her performances, but I really don’t like Waterbomb."
"Because of her, more men see women as objects and now ask, 'Why don’t other girl idols dress like that?' Sure, what a win for women’s rights."
"Forget the outfit. The dance was just too much. It’s like she was trying to make up for a quieter year last time."
"Just because Eunbi dressed like that doesn’t mean other idols have to follow, but it’s still shocking. In a Confucian country? Guess R-rated performances are okay now. At least keep it more subtle if you know your body will get attention."
"She knows her selling point and went for an appropriate level for Waterbomb. As long as it doesn’t pressure other girl idols, I don’t see the big deal. It’s not like she was doing a striptease on Twitch. Other idols have shown more and didn’t get this backlash."
"I like Eunbi and I’m a fan, but I was honestly surprised by the video."
"You can’t pretend women are blameless when people are now scoring other idols’ exposure and pressuring them to reveal more. She benefited. She’s rich now, but to say it does not affect others? I doubt that."
"The outfit was one thing, but the choreography shocked me more. I support her choice, but I’m still surprised and conflicted."
" I could accept the bikini, but the choreography was so obvious it was funny. All boob-shaking and sex-appeal moves. She’s clearly chosen a path. I get it, though, since that’s what gets remembered."
"Let her do what she wants. Why hate on it?"
"I’ve already seen multiple slowed-down clips of her shaking sideboob. I wish idols wouldn’t go this route. Kids are watching."
" It’s a bit embarrassing, but I get it. That’s how she became popular. Still, this shouldn’t become the new standard. Every idol has their own image and concept."
What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree with Korean netizens? Let us know in the comments below!
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