Super Junior D&E’s New Song Title Under Controversy For Misogynistic Connotations

Super Junior D&E is set to release their comeback album on March 26, 2024. Ahead of the launch, an album tracklist was released on March 15. Fans soon realized that the title track was named “Jijibae (GGB).”

While some international fans have misunderstood the name, thinking it to be a harmless abbreviation…

whys… suddenly.. everyone mad aboit ggb?? like is it bad??? i really do think ggb is just an abbreviation for gotta go bye.. ???

— zoey ♡ hyukjae (@hyukjaeloml) March 14, 2024

…others have defended it as a way to refer to a “bold boss b*tch.”

apparently this is what ggb means? pic.twitter.com/vgeThgyNro

— eri (@hyukcore) March 14, 2024

Korean fans have brought up the misogynistic connotations behind the word, accusing Super Junior D&E of not being mindful. The fan below is an ardent fan of Eunhyuk. They explained the history and current use of the word for international fans.

해외팬분들 질문이 몇개 와서 그냥 다른분께 답변드린 거 퍼블트로 복사해놓습니다.

타이틀곡 제목이 여자를 낮춰 부를 때 쓰는 단어입니다. 완전히 욕은 아니고, 현재도 같은 여성 친구들 사이나 모녀지간에서는 장난스레 사용되는 경우도 있지만,

— 단달 (@hyuk_right) March 14, 2024

A few questions have come from international fans, so I’m just pasting what I already replied to a few people here. The title of the song is a phrase used to when calling a woman, but it is a derogatory one. It is not completely a curse word, and there are instances where it it used amongst girls themselves or mother-daughters in a joking way, but it is similar as to when some words can be used jokingly amongst the same race, but is considered racist for others to use. [Jijibae (GGB)] is a word that modern women are averse to, and it is especially unpleasant when it is used by a man. 10 to 15 years ago, it was more commonly used with the meaning of “bad woman,” and I think that maybe D&E also used it with such intention, but that is an outdated and old way of thinking for sure. I don’t know if my tweet will be translated well [using a translator] but I hope that you guys take note.

— hyuk_right

The word “jijibae” in Korean originates from the word “gyejibae,” which loosely translates to “wench.” While it can be used to refer to a woman or girl, it holds derogatory meaning and disrespect.

Super Junior has not yet responded to the matter.