The concept of the male gaze, also known as the masculine perspective, is a fundamental idea in feminist theory that explores how women are portrayed and perceived in visual arts and literature from the standpoint of heterosexual men. It involves empowering men while objectifying female sexuality to cater to their pleasure. Essentially, it suggests that women are seen as objects of male desire for gratification through the lens of heterosexual men. The popularization of this notion originated from this understanding.
There is an internet saying that asks: “When does a girl realize she has transitioned into womanhood? Not on her coming-of-age day, not upon experiencing her first menstruation or falling in love, but when she comprehends being viewed as an object of desire by men.”
This statement emphasizes how deeply ingrained the male gaze affects women’s perception of themselves and their self-esteem. Its impact arises not only from witnessing other women being relegated to subordinate roles but also from societal expectations for women to conform to such roles in real life. Ultimately, the male perspective diminishes female power and assertiveness while promoting self-objectification among women and reinforcing respect for men and patriarchal systems at large.
In K-POP culture, Korean television deliberately caters to the male aesthetic through specific camera angles, composition and lighting techniques. This approach often ignores the personality of the performers, turning the camera into a “staring” tool that subtly directs the audience to a prying and gendered view of the performers on stage, as well as the sexually suggestive dance moves and lyrics. These carefully choreographed K-POP performances are no doubt designed to meet the expectations of male audiences and embody the practical application of the male gaze theory. In Asia, these performers are referred to as “idols,” a title that implies worship and admiration for idols, as if they had a god-like status. Unlike the concept of idols in Western culture, KPOP idols are not only expected to be skilled in singing and dancing and present an impeccable image, but also to excel in their respective fields of expertise. This commodification of KPOP ICONS to serve the “male gaze” reveals a commodification trend centered on the male perspective.
In the glittering world of K-POP, male producers play a key role, often unconsciously favoring female artists who can cater to a male perspective in the process of music creation and idol selection. This tendency has resulted in many female teams having to submit to the aesthetic of male audiences when creating images, thus showing an overly sexy or overly naive image. For example, the theme of many women’s songs focuses on expressing love to “Oppa” (brother), which undoubtedly shows a tilt toward the male market.
With the continuous expansion of the K-POP market, female idols are also under the pressure of expectation from male audiences while showing their personal charm. In order to attract more male fans, they are often forced to adjust their image and even have to show more skin in the fierce competition. Such a phenomenon not only limits the space for self-expression of idols, but also inadvertently deepens gender stereotypes, which undoubtedly poses an obstacle to women’s self-empowerment and self-advocacy. On the big stage of K-POP, the image and self-realization of female idols always seem to be difficult to get rid of the shadow of male perspective.
However, with the development of The Times and the progress of social concepts, the phenomenon of male gaze in the K-POP industry is gradually being challenged and changed. The positive actions of female idols and fans, as well as the positive response of the market to feminist music, indicate that the status and image of women in the KPOP industry is developing in a more equal and diverse direction. It is believed that in the near future, the malevolent influence of the male gaze will gradually diminish, and women will be able to take control of their bodies and images in a real sense.
Reference：
Edubirdie. (n.d.). How Does Korean Pop Music Support Laura Mulvey’s Theory of the Male Gaze? – Free Essay Example. [online] Available at: https://edubirdie.com/examples/how-does-korean-pop-music-support-laura-mulveys-theory-of-the-male-gaze/ [Accessed 1 Dec. 2024].
Vanbuskirk, S. (2022). What Is the Male Gaze? [online] Verywell Mind. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-male-gaze-5118422 [Accessed 1 Dec. 2024].
Your critique of the male gaze in K-POP culture shows how patriarchal beliefs affect the entertainment business, notably the monetization of female idols. The masculine gaze and cultural expectations, as well as their repercussions on self-image and empowerment, are fascinating and well-expressed.
Your examples of camera angles, dancing, and themes like “Oppa” love songs indicate how K-POP targets men. Compared to Western idols, K-POP female idols have unique obstacles, such as pressure to portray hyper-sexualized or innocent images.
The changing resistance to these norms inspires. The market’s positive response to feminist music is fascinating. Empowered female icons and fan support inspire hope. Specific instances of female idols or movements resisting the male gaze would be helpful. This would strengthen the argument and demonstrate industry developments.
Your essay beautifully examines K-POP gender depiction and the societal effects of the masculine gaze. Very intelligent and well-reasoned!