A brief shirt-removal sequence during I-DLE member Soyeon’s performance at Waterbomb Sokcho 2026 has triggered a heated debate over sexualized stage content, artistic freedom and the risks of judging a full performance from a viral clip.
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Soyeon appeared on August 22 at Hanwha Resort Seorak Sorano in Sokcho, Gangwon Province. During the set, a dancer pulled her T-shirt upward while she was kneeling. Footage recorded by audience members spread quickly online and drew hundreds of thousands of views, according to Daum’s report citing MHN Sports.
Critics said the gesture was excessive and sexually suggestive, even for Waterbomb, an adult-oriented summer festival known for water effects, revealing outfits and bold choreography. Supporters argued that Soyeon, an adult performer, chose the moment to match the show’s concept and exercise creative freedom.
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The outlet report noted that Waterbomb has repeatedly faced criticism over exposure and sexual content. It also argued that the controversy was predictable amid growing public discomfort with provocative festival performances.
At the same time, the report cautioned against defining Soyeon’s entire stage by a few seconds, noting that costumes, choreography, gestures and facial expressions have long formed part of her direct performance style.
Short-form videos intensified the dispute by isolating the shirt-removal moment from the music and choreography surrounding it. That editing made the act appear to represent the whole performance, leaving little room for viewers to assess its broader structure.
The debate coincides with Soyeon’s upcoming solo release. Star News reported that she previewed two new songs at the festival: “STAR,” an EDM track with direct lyrics, and “I Hate Vegetables Song,” a lighter song built around an addictive melody. The outlet also reported that she later released the latter song’s 2000s-inspired animated music video on her YouTube channel.
SBS News reported on August 26 that Soyeon’s first solo full-length album, “What a Wonderful Life,” will be released at 6 p.m. on Sept. 7. An introductory film released by Cube Entertainment on Soyeon’s birthday traces her life and career.
The outlet added that she also addressed old rumors, denying that “LIAR,” a 2022 B-side, targeted rapper Changmo and revisiting a lyric change from the 2022 MAMA Awards.
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