NewJeans’ signature “Y2K” concept, which reimagines fashion trends from the 2000s, has received plenty of praise since the group’s debut in 2022. Although these fashion queens can pull off any look, NewJeans’ stylists have come under fire several times for their styling decisions. Here, in no particular order, are some of NewJeans’ most criticized stylings.
1. 2024 Paris Olympics
On August 22, NewJeans performed at a private event to celebrate the 2024 Paris Olympics, having been personally invited by the president of South Korea. Although NewJeans’ performance received praise, not everyone loved their styling. Netizens have criticized the group’s casual t-shirts and jogging pants, claiming the look wasn’t suitable for this prestigious event.
Some netizens even went so far as to demand an apology from the stylist.
what do you mean they performed IN FRONT OF THE PRESIDENT in joggers and t-shirts 😭 pic.twitter.com/d4o9aMvuNQ
— nati ୨୧ (@retrokki) August 22, 2024
definitely upset at Choi Yumi for their wardrobe because this is a prestigious event and you sent the girls in sweatpants and oversized tees… we need to get a formal apology out of her cause nah 😭 https://t.co/q6jy9Y09E3
— nil 𝜗𝜚 (@newjiram) August 22, 2024
ik damn well ador doesnt have newjeans performing at an OLYMPIC EVENT infront of the PRESIDENT in outfits you go and get a sweet treat in at midnight pic.twitter.com/7rwUCjqEe0
— juice (@bratzmioka) August 22, 2024
2. “Attention” MV and Debut Photos
One of NewJeans’ most notable outfit controversies to date happened during the group’s debut. Netizens criticized ADOR for dressing some of the members in outfits that they felt were inappropriate for minors in the “Attention” music video.
The white pants pictured above featured a girl in a bikini carrying a surfboard.
Netizens also criticized the shirt Minji wore in this selfie, which featured the phrase “PIMP IS YOURS.” Merriam-Webster defines “pimp” as “a criminal who is associated with, usually exerts control over, and lives off the earnings of one or more prostitutes.”
ADOR’s stylists were also criticized for dressing some members in these outfits that might be deemed inappropriate for their age.
3. 2023 Melon Music Awards
The 2023 Melon Music Awards was held on December 2, 2023. While most of the groups who attended dressed elegantly in dresses and suits, NewJeans went a different route with cargo pants and shorts.
Netizens criticized the style team for choosing “tacky” outfits and accessories that were too busy and informal for the event, as well as overshadowing the members’ natural beauty with gaudy makeup.
- “I know that they tried hard to doll the girls up, but why do I think that their bare faces are better?”
- “Gasp, it’s all weird. Why do they do that to pretty kids?”
- “Everything after their first album is tacky. Why are they doing that to pretty kids?”
- “It’s all weird… Just where do they get such stockings?”
- “They tried dressing the girls up in something different than usual. I like it, so what?”
- “Why do they always do this at awards shows?”
- “Wow, their shoes look so warm.”
- “I thought their legs were stained with Coca-Cola.”
- “Minji and Hanni are pretty.”
- “Their hair, makeup, and style is so hard to digest. It’ll be better if they went natural.”
4. 2023 Asia Artist Awards
NewJeans attended the 2023 Asia Artist Awards dressed in outfits that seemed to take inspiration from 1990s fashion.
Although the members looked stunning, many netizens felt that NewJeans was underdressed in “weird” clothes for the red carpet at an award show.
- “Their music is getting worse, and so is their styling… Their face is the only thing pretty.”
- “The stylist, again…”
- “What’s going on with the stylist?”
- “Where on earth did they find these clothes? The girls are so pretty, but their clothes are always weird.”
- “The stylist had them wear rags.”
- “Wow, their styling is always so weird. What are they doing with these pretty girls?”
- “The girls are pretty, but their clothes are…”
- “I feel like the stylist’s tastes and the girls’ brands are so different.”
- “You don’t have to make them wear dresses for red carpet events, but this is they are too underdressed here. They look so tacky because the girls are forced to wear these outfits that are from the 90s.”
5. Stage Outfits
The stage outfits NewJeans wore to perform “How Sweet” during Inkigayo‘s K-Wave Concert received polar opposite reactions from netizens.
Some netizens thought the casual, comfortable clothes were a refreshing choice, when compared to complicated outfits that can impede an artist’s movement or cause wardrobe malfunctions. The age-appropriate look also stayed true to NewJeans’ Y2K concept. Other netizens, however, felt that the outfits were too plain and ordinary for the stage.
- “It looks like everyday clothes, just plain…”
- “It’s pretty.”
- “It looks comfortable but not pretty.”
- “The clothes are pretty.”
- “This one is pretty. The original post shows a style that everyone wears these days, so it looks comfortable but not “pretty, haha”
- “The kids are pretty, not the clothes.”
- “It does look comfortable, but it’s the kids who are pretty, not the clothes.”
- “It’s pretty, the choreography looks good, and it looks comfortable. There are underage members, so it looks really nice.”
- “F*cking hip.”
- “It’s a million times more comfortable and prettier than dancing in tight panties and a string bra.”
Source: theqoo (1) and (2)
