(G)I-DLE’s song “Wife” was deemed unfit for broadcast, and netizens have reacted to the decision.
The members of (G)I-DLE | @G_I_DLE/Twitter
After the release of their song and video for the track “Wife,” (G)I-DLE became an even hotter topic of conversation.
The song received mixed views from Korean and international netizens, but most fans couldn’t stop raving over the perfect combination of the group being “unserious” with the concept and how it fits with Soyeon’s deep lyrics.
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Although the song hasn’t been officially “promoted” yet, it is always hopeful that albums can be played or performed on big Korean stations. However, certain companies have criteria to allow it to be eligible, and KBS is one of those stations.
While netizens have been defending the song, many were shocked when two songs were seen as “ineligible” for broadcasting by the station. The song “Rollie” was banned due to mentioning a brand, but fans noticed that “Wife” was not allowed due to lyrics deemed “Overly sexual.”
“Wife” and “Rollie” are ineligible for broadcasting by KBS Broadcasting standards
• “Wife” for lyrics that are overly sexual
• “Rollie” for lyrics that mention a brand
The other songs from the album are eligible#GIDLE #여자아이들 pic.twitter.com/padCy2NEqW
— (G)I-DLE Charts (@idlecharts) January 24, 2024
After the decision was made, netizens hit back at the decision from KBS.
While many agreed that the song was “sexual,” they explained how other songs from other artists (and especially boy groups) that had innuendos seemed to still be acceptable for broadcast. Fans also pointed out that at first, the lyrics are “nonsense” but suddenly become “sexualized” when it comes to the ability to promote the song. It also cemented the importance of Soyeon’s messages through her songs.
wife’s lyrics ARE sexual. the real issue here is KBS’ censorship of women expressing their sexuality https://t.co/NfoDpqBXVR
— cricket is THINKIN’ ABOUT YOU (@mccnlightaria) January 24, 2024
not even warm hole by brown eyed girls got banned for sexual lyrics like ijbol they’re just irritated idle wrote the song themselves and did so freely
— soph (@exosobsession) January 24, 2024
the way wife is essentially going to censored due to its sexual/suggestive meaning just shows how important soyeons message is. korea has had suggestive songs performed on tv before but bc wife makes nods to feminism & is suggestive on gidles own terms it’s being banned LOL
— 2 IN STORES JAN 29 (@idIekarma) January 24, 2024
7 and They got away with it, but not wife??? https://t.co/AmkGAiVzVx pic.twitter.com/6pcOdyl1Zi
— Two 529/1 Wife BSOTY (@GOATS_I_DLE) January 24, 2024
don’t worry it’s okay to sing lyrics that are sexualizing idols and coated over w a cute vibe don’t worry it’s okay to have grown men write songs w innuendos for younger groups but when gidle is reclaiming their opinion on the sexual standards of being a woman in sk it’s not ok. https://t.co/Wm0YZBmr2O
— aly² (@dahliaeternal) January 24, 2024
While the song might be banned, it is still taking over Korea, with it making the morning news because of the lyrics and how it has dominated the charts, even without any promotion. In particular, the news anchor even started dancing to the song as it started playing.
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Fans believe that (G)I-DLE continues to release songs with messages that need to be shared. While many don’t doubt that some of the lyrics might be “sexual,” they feel like the standards have been tightened for the group and the song.
