“Disgusting” — Red Velvet IRENE & SEULGI’s Comeback Concept Sparks Heavy Backlash
Red Velvet‘s unit, IRENE & SEULGI will soon be making a comeback with TILT. On May 16, 2025, a series of teaser photos were released.
Red Velvet – IRENE & SEULGI 'TILT' Image #3
Red Velvet – IRENE & SEULGI
The 2nd Mini Album 【TILT】
➫ 2025.05.26 6PM (KST)💿 Pre-orderhttps://t.co/a8S1cXCzQc#RedVelvet_IRENE_SEULGI#레드벨벳_아이린_슬기#IRENE #아이린 #SEULGI #슬기#TILT #RedVelvet_IRENE_SEULGI_TILT pic.twitter.com/TzhpPFL6g7
— Red Velvet (@RVsmtown) May 15, 2025
The photos have been receiving backlash online due to the alleged sexually-charged nature of the images. In particular, a photo of an oyster loaded with pearls attracted attention. Many felt that it was an open and obvious innuendo, as oysters and pearls are often used to represent female genitalia.
The words on the pearls also read, “Take Me Too High.” Coupled with the other teaser images, netizens were shocked at the maturity of the concept. Many photos were taken in a bedroom, with the girls in revealing outfits.
Not only that, their pair photos were accused of mimicking a light BSDM theme.
This included chains, leather, and imagery such as stepping on each other.
Netizens were absolutely appalled at the theme.
- Female idols get lots of sexual harassment already. What’s up with those images?
- They’ve lost it. Stop making female idols do such concepts.
- Oysters really do look like it, so it’s kind of disgusting.
- Ah, the oyster is really so outrightly provocative. The overall aesthetic isn’t bad, but it’s disgusting to think about how it is meant as a reference to female genitalia.
- Looks cheap.
TILT will be released on May 26, 2025.
