[ASKKPOP] [MVP OP-ED] Lolita: an innocent concept or perverted fantasy?

As you may have already seen,Tiny-G's Doheewasrecently featured in a risky photo shootspread with photographerRottathat stirred up quite a bit of controversy due to its sexy nature. But why, you might ask? Because of the often highly criticized 'lolita' themed concept. With the shoot recieving so much attention, we decided to included the heated topic in our OP-ED series 'MVP (Maknae's View Point).' The series will touch base with some sensitive topics involving controversial news and trends we simply can't stop talking about! Without further ado, let's roll right into this OP-ED and discuss what labeled this photo shoot a 'pedo-bear' fantasy!

My opinion on it? No, I do not get a perverted sense from Dohee's photo shoot and I'm ready to explain why. Now before you spit fire with a reign of terrorizing comments on me, hear me out!These days when people think of lolita we jump straight to the Japanese anime girls who exhibit little girl-like features while being sexual attractive as any other older woman would be. In anime it is cute, charming and often times boost a more doll-like elegance when cosplayed. This is one reason I viewed this youthful concept as anything but harmful to my imagination. Like the photo below, it is more commonly associated with vintage Victorian styles, maids, and lots of frills and lace, which enhance the youthful side of this concept. Yet, when only focusing on the timidly sexual positions of Dohee's photos, it can easily ruffle some feathers.

First off all, let's define 'lolita': "a sexually precocious, young looking girl." However, like many celebrity photo shoots, these sexualized poses are no different. Dohee's positioning in a few photos are a little more alluring, but it doesn't scream pedophile in my eyes. Besides, aren't most forms of beauty centered around capturing a youthful essence, nowadays? Dohee's personal features are naturally childlike due to her short height and fragile appearance, and the light flushed makeup is no different than the 'hangover makeup' trend currently happening in Korea. The only reason lolita is receiving such harsh criticism is because of a strong stigma behind it due to the critically acclaimed, yet disturbing, novel of 1955,'Lolita.'

I have a problem with the plot of the book, not this photo shoot. The novel's theme stems from an unflattering circumstance involving a man's fixation over young girls referred to as nymphets (girls aged 9-14). But lolita is like any K-Pop fandom: there is always someone ruining it for others, and this novel is no different in adding more fuel to the fire for this not-so-out-of-the-ordinary pictorial. The only thing I can see bothering others is her makeup, when paired with certain poses, personifies more of that look after you finished doing some exercises...in bed. But why do people have to take it there? It could simply be a hot summer day and she is just lying around. It's another case of telling others to get their minds out of the gutter.

Sulliwas another whopreviously released a photo shootwith a shared lolita concept. Although, based on comments, people noticed that Sulli appeared to look almost like a 14 year old, yet it didn't blow up as dramatically as Dohee's.

EvenIUandStellarhad traces of lolita influence in their previous comeback album. It can simply be that this style exudes a free-spirited, whimsical charm and carefree nature--the concept just has a dark, cringeworthy background because of one book.

"I still protest that inspiration can be built from anywhere and be used in any way..."

I still protest that inspiration can be built from anywhere and be used in any way, and Rotta's photo shoots are touching base with a style that may be frowned upon from viewers but has been creatively untouched by other photographers. Rotta isn't glamorizing this 'dirty minded' concept; the photos praise women who naturally exude a young, girlish nature, and Dohee, being 21, is one of them. I don't want to use art as the only shield for defensive reasoning, but all the female celebrities mentioned are adults and clearly wanted to pursue this image. It's the aegyo only a grown woman can emulate. Rotta successfully captured the beauty the novel found in young girls through Dohee's photos without being grotesque, twisted, and distasteful. In the end, if the viewer is the one carving sexual fantasies just from these photos, wouldn't they be the more disturbed one to blame? With that said, we can finally appreciate aspects of the photo shoot such as the makeup, clothing, and quality with ease!

Some poses hint at a sexy side, but that's what I like about it because each photo also revealed her clean beauty. Photos, like the one below, make Dohee naturally appealing and showcase her surreal physique. The second photo may be the type fans get upset over, but there are a lot more jaw dropping photo shoots than this one! I don't need to point fingers, though.

In the end, 'Lolita' is a concept and style that is widely recognized, mainly in its Japanese form, so why wouldn't it be daringly incorporated into a celebrity's many concepts? It is nothing to feel taboo about and various cultures have attempted these concepts in numerous (and even humorous) ways. These forms of 'creative outlets' are meant to stir up conversation, good or bad. Even if it gave you a pedo vibe, Dohee's photos aren't the next 'Lolita' novel sequel! Her photoshoot was pretty but nothing to go crazy over in the end, which is why the hype built around it didn't strike me since the lolita theme is more light-hearted these days. What do you think; were Dohee's photos more innocent or purely sexually charged?