Did ILLIT's 'You're Under Arrest' Stage Cross a Line? Yuna Responds at Showcase

Asked directly about criticism that ILLIT's police-style costumes sexualize female officers, Yuna said the group was "happy but also surprised" by the heat. She added that any attention on their stage is something to be grateful for.

The question came on the 26th at the showcase for the group's fifth mini-album, BREAK EVEN, held at Blue Square's Woori WON Banking Hall in Yongsan, Seoul. It was the first time the members publicly addressed the backlash.

How the controversy started

ILLIT debuted the new title track "You're Under Arrest" at a recent encore concert, dressed in police-inspired uniforms. The styling paired knee-high socks, miniskirts and waist-defined tops. Critics said the look turned female police officers into a sexual object. Some pointed out that the uniform for Posuni, the character representing a female police officer, had recently been changed from a skirt to trousers, and called the costumes a step backward.

What Yuna said

"We were glad and surprised that the interest grew so intense after we first showed the 'You're Under Arrest' stage on tour," Yuna said. "Whatever kind of attention it is, we're thankful that people are paying attention to our stage."

She then pivoted to the comeback. "If you watch the music video, you'll see it's a 'black agent' concept, and we plan to show a variety of styles, so please give us lots of interest and love."

She did not address the sexualization criticism itself, and there was no mention of changing the costumes.

About the album

BREAK EVEN follows the members as they realize their all-in feelings for a crush were one-sided, and decide to stop staying in relationships that cost them more than they get back. The break-even point is the album's central metaphor. The title track is an electro-pop song that serves a warning to someone whose habitual kindness was mistaken for interest, with a bright whistle sound, sharp synths and punchy vocal effects.

The album has four tracks beyond the title song: "Super in Love," about friends' blunt remarks revealing a solo crush, "More," in which embarrassment curdles into irritation, and "Pop," a track about falling fast for a new person and treating the failed past relationship as a step toward a better ending.

The album dropped at 6 p.m. on the 26th on major music sites. ILLIT begins music show promotions on the 30th with KBS 2TV's Music Bank.

What theqoo users said

1. 1

   Fans asked what on earth this answer was.

2. 2

   Several commenters could only post question marks.

3. 3

   One person said they couldn't believe the group actually answered that way.

4. 4

   One commenter said the exchange basically confirms that everything the group does is viral marketing.

5. 5

   Another wondered whether staff failed to prep them for likely questions, or whether this was the answer staff suggested.

6. 6

   A commenter noted the question wasn't stated clearly and was a bit vague, but said giving that kind of reply to a related question is shocking either way.

7. 7

   One user said answering like that makes things look even worse, and that they should have just said they'd work hard or put in even more effort.

8. 8

   One commenter simply said "Ew."

9. 9

   Another said there are clearly no thoughts going on.

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    The last commenter asked whether the group will really keep this "vibe" and promote that way, and said they were shocked.