Kwon Eun-bi captivates audience with bold performance at ‘Waterbomb 2025’… heated debate over outfit

Singer Kwon Eun-bi once again drew attention on the stage of ‘Waterbomb 2025.’ With her bold styling and fiery performance, she overwhelmed the audience, but online discussions erupted regarding her outfit right after the show. However, this controversy extends beyond mere exposure levels to issues of the double standards surrounding gender in performing arts.

Kwon Eun-bi performed on the last day of ‘Waterbomb Seoul 2025’ at the outdoor global stage of KINTEX on the 6th. She appeared in a cowgirl concept, captivating attention with a white bikini, red check crop shirt, hot pants, and western boots. The performance video garnered over 2 million views within a day, receiving explosive reactions.

However, some netizens criticized her outfit, stating it was “too revealing” and “too focused on emphasizing her figure.” Conversely, others defended Kwon Eun-bi, saying, “Waterbomb is originally a festival like that” and “it’s just an outfit suitable for the concept.” There is a growing recognition of the phenomenon where perspectives on performance content differ based on gender.

In this regard, one netizen pointed out, “Why is it that when male idols perform shirtless to show off their abs, no one says anything, yet there are always stricter standards applied to female artists?” Indeed, previously, NU’EST's Baekho performed shirtless, and this year, BTOB's Lee Min-hyuk also thrilled the crowd with performances of his solo songs ‘Dangerous’, ‘You too? Me too!’, ‘Boom’, and ‘Tang Tang Tang’ while exposing his abs. Nevertheless, there was no significant controversy raised regarding their outfits or performances.

This has repeated in the past as well. When Kwon Eun-bi appeared at the first ‘Waterbomb’ in 2023, she caused a stir with her sheer cardigan and bikini outfit, earning the title “Waterbomb Goddess.” However, at the same time, opinions about her outfit varied in online communities and social media. Some netizens reacted with, “She adhered to the festival concept,” while others argued that “the level of exposure is excessive and needs moderation.” Voices also emerged stating, “Given that Waterbomb itself is a summer music festival themed around water and festivals, it was a style appropriate to the concept,” and “it should be understood as freedom of expression towards performance.”

The phenomenon of interpreting and receiving performances differently based on gender is not merely an issue concerning one artist. As Kwon Eun-bi left a strong impression on stage, the discussion surrounding her expands beyond merely the level of her outfit to encompass discourse on freedom of expression and societal perceptions in the performing arts. This current controversy surrounding Kwon Eun-bi raises fundamental questions regarding the double standards that society demands of female artists. This is the reason why online reactions to her outfit are mixed.

On one side, there are still those who impose the standard of ‘exposure,’ while on the other, evaluations stating, “She was faithful to the concept and confidently completed her stage,” are also prominent. Kwon Eun-bi's performance is becoming a catalyst for discussions on freedom of expression and gender equality, rather than just being the center of a simple controversy.

[Photo] provided by Double A. Kwon Eun-bi SNS

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