Netizens are debating whether the company listened to criticism.
A2O LITE is once again drawing attention for their stage outfits, but this time, many netizens are praising the group’s styling.
The rookie girl group, produced by Lee Soo Man, recently faced backlash over their revealing outfits, particularly as several members are only 13 years old. The controversy intensified after the members performed in cropped school uniforms and short skirts, with critics questioning whether the outfits were appropriate for such young idols. However, the group’s latest appearance on KBS‘s Music Bank has sparked a noticeably different response.
During their performance of “NEON,” all members appeared in coordinated outfits consisting of long-sleeved tops and long pants, a striking contrast to some of their previous stage looks. The change quickly became a hot topic on the Korean online community theqoo, where a post suggesting that the group’s styling had finally reflected public feedback attracted tens of thousands of views. Many netizens welcomed the outfits, arguing that the longer pants were not only more appropriate for the members’ ages but also better suited to their choreography.
Some even felt that the styling allowed the group’s performance skills to stand out more.
- “Long sleeves and long pants look so much better.”
- “Since the choreography is so intense, I like how the long pants make them look freer to move.”
- “Now that they’re showing less skin, it feels more like kids their age showcasing their talent. I like it much better.”
- “Honestly, long pants suit this song so well. You can see their dance moves more clearly, too.”
- “This is so much better. Their choreography is intense, so those tight, short school uniform skirts really weren’t it.”
However, not everyone agreed that the latest outfits represented a necessary improvement. Some argued that the criticism had gone too far, particularly when it came to crop tops and sleeveless clothing, which they considered perfectly normal for young performers. Others questioned whether the change had anything to do with the backlash at all.
- “Are people seriously nitpicking crop tops now? What, should they only wear long sleeves and long pants?”
- “Crop tops suit energetic, hip-hop-style choreography. I think that much is perfectly acceptable.”
- “People who constantly try to dictate what they wear honestly seem like control freaks.”
- “It’s not that they’re responding to feedback. It looks like they’re just wearing the outfits they already had planned. Shorts, pants, skirts, pants. If they were really responding to feedback, they would’ve stopped using crop tops, too.”
Despite the disagreement, a recurring sentiment was that the longer pants complemented the group’s powerful choreography, with several commenters praising the members’ stage presence regardless of their outfits. Still, with the group’s styling continuing to attract scrutiny, the debate over how young idols should be dressed shows little sign of slowing down.
Read more:
Lee Soo Man’s Comments About Underage Idols Spark Disgust Amid A2O LITE’s Debut