While (G)I-DLE member Shuhua denied rumors of being romantically linked with Taiwanese actor Kai Ko Chen Tung, the group has found itself at the center of another controversy involving their outfits for a music show performance.
(G)I-DLE performed their new song “Klaxon” on KBS’s Music Bank on Friday, wearing lifeguard-themed outfits. Each member wore tight sleeveless tops with “LIFEGUARD” printed at the front, paired with red shorts and accessorized with first aid kit fanny packs, whistles, and red hats. Despite the intention of wanting to visualize summer on the beach with their outfits, many criticized their decision to oversexualize a profession that aimed to keep people safe and took issue with them misusing the Red Cross emblem.
The Korean Red Cross prohibits unauthorized use of the Red Cross symbol and has previously launched a campaign to emphasize the importance of preventing such emblem misuse.
The Korean Red Cross’s organizational regulation reported that individuals who use the Red Cross emblem without permission could face fines of up to 10 million Wo (approximately $7,500) or administrative penalties of up to 5 million Won (approximately $3,750).
Unauthorized use continues despite these penalties in places like hospitals and pharmacies. To combat this, the organization has applied to trademark three types of Red Cross emblems in three product categories: pharmaceuticals, medical devices (Class 10), and hospitals and pharmacies (Class 44).
Viewers online criticized (G)I-DLE’s outfits, commenting that they were too provocative and that their stylists should pay a fine for using the Red Cross emblem.
According to MHN Sports, the Korean Red Cross stated, “We did not receive any request for approval regarding using the Red Cross emblem from (G)I-DLE. The legal department managing the emblem will speak to the agency and request a plan to prevent this from happening again. However, we determined that there was no intent to misuse it, so no fines or penalties will be charged.”
(G)I-DLE’s agency, Cube Entertainment, has not provided an official statement addressing this controversy.
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