Their comeback features a police theme.
Koreaboo
Girl group ILLIT has come under fire from Korean netizens over their police-inspired outfits for their new song, “You’re Under Arrest,” with critics accusing the group’s agency, HYBE, of sexualizing female police officers.
The controversy began after the group unveiled their new concept, which features the members dressed in stylized police uniforms. Rather than traditional police attire, the outfits incorporate short skirts, tight tops, knee-high socks, and garter-style details, creating a distinctly feminine interpretation of law enforcement uniforms.
While uniform-inspired costumes have long been used in K-Pop performances, some Korean netizens have argued that ILLIT’s styling crosses a line by turning the professional uniforms of female police officers into something unnecessarily sexualized.
The criticism has been particularly directed at HYBE and the creative team responsible for the concept, rather than the individual members. One netizen questioned why the company would choose such a concept in the current social climate.
하이브는 지금 시대가 어느시대인데 직업성적대상화를 하는거임?
어떤 여성경찰이 저런 민소매 니삭스 미니스커트 허리선 들어간 경찰복을 입고 호루라기를 불면서 행동하는데 여성직업복 이따위로 비하하지마
안그래도 여경은 여성혐오로 인해서 욕먹는 직업인데 아이돌이 이런식으로 여성경찰을… pic.twitter.com/OTxXxr2GOn
— 아이나(보완수사권폐지반대) (@aina0660) October 17, 2026
“What era does HYBE think we’re living in? Why are they sexualizing professional occupations? What female police officer wears a sleeveless uniform with knee-high socks, a miniskirt, and a cinched waist while blowing a whistle and acting like that? Stop degrading women’s professional uniforms like this.”
They also raised concerns about the broader implications of portraying female police officers in this manner, particularly given the gender-based discrimination that women in law enforcement already face in South Korea.
“Female police officers already receive so much hate because of misogyny. Have they not considered what kind of negative impact it could have on society when idols portray female police officers in such a sexualized way? Now that ILLIT has made their comeback, they’re going to be performing ‘You’re Under Arrest’ on music shows and doing tons of challenges. I’m sure it’ll have such a great influence when the media becomes flooded with portrayals of female police officers like this. It’s actually harmful to real female police officers.”
The criticism extended beyond the outfits themselves, with some netizens worrying about how frequently the concept could appear across music shows, promotional videos, and social media challenges. The same commenter also drew comparisons to a previous controversy involving BLACKPINK.
In 2020, BLACKPINK’s music video for “Lovesick Girls” faced criticism over Jennie’s nurse outfit, which some argued sexualized the nursing profession. Following objections from the Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union, YG Entertainment announced that it would edit the relevant scenes.
Referencing that incident, the netizen questioned why entertainment agencies had seemingly failed to learn from previous criticism. Although exaggerated and stylized uniforms are common in entertainment, more critics argue that certain designs can reinforce gender stereotypes, particularly when women’s professional clothing is transformed into revealing costumes.
Another pointed out that it wasn’t impossible for idols to dress up in uniform when done respectfully.
경찰복 좋은예 나쁜예
교복 좋은예 나쁜예 https://t.co/Pmj9dS7wqc pic.twitter.com/kNrg75Xc7J— yell bea (@yellowbeak11972) October 17, 2026
With “You’re Under Arrest” expected to feature prominently in the group’s promotions, the debate over the police-inspired concept could continue as more performances and promotional content are released.