'Bikini and hot pants' NewJeans controversies over performance targeting in game Battleground

 June 19th, 2024

When the group NewJeans appeared as characters in the game while collaborating with the game Battleground, some users raised issue of sexual objectification of the members. This is because there have been many cases of putting inappropriate costumes on NewJeans characters with underage members and leaving them as photos to share on the internet.

According to a report by this newspaper on the 19th, HYBE is understanding the situation and preparing countermeasures. The collaboration content between NewJeans and Battleground was provided from the 12th on PC version and the 18th for on mobile. Although it has only been a week since PC service was started, continuously has arisen over several objectification of member characters in the meantime.

NewJeans character skins was sold popularly. Some of the users who purchased the skin intentionally dressed sensational clothes on characters with the appearance of NewJeans members. They wore short pants about the length of underwear to the NewJeans characters, and also dressed them in bikinis. This was possible because there was no restriction on what kind of clothes to game characters. He then posted pictures of characters dressed in sensational costumes online and shared them, making sexual harassment remarks. Analysts say that the members characters' faces were also clearly visible, highlighting their intention to target their grades.

As related photos spread, complaints erupted among fans of NewJeans. They said, "NewJeans should be stopped or other clothes should be stopped. Many people use it for different purposes," and "It was a problem that was foreseen when they said they would collaborate with Battleground."

Some said that the agency sould have placed restrictions on clothes when signing contracts to protect its members. NewJeans also has underage members, which will likely make it all the more difficult to avoid criticism. The member Haerin is 18 years old and the youngest Hyein is 16 years old.

According to this newspaper's report, HYBE IM, which in charge of HYBE's game industry, was in charge of the related discussion for the collaboration contract between NewJeans and Battleground, and Min Heejin, CEO of ADOR, made a final approval. In other words, neither HYBE nor ADOR predicted such a problem to occur.

Original article: Naver