LE SSERAFIM Chaewon’s Recent Styling Sparks Mixed Reactions Due To Alleged Cultural Appropriation
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LE SSERAFIM performed on M COUNTDOWN a couple of weeks ago while the group promoted “EASY.”
This performance has resurfaced after a clip went viral on video-sharing app TikTok. While fans usually like Chaewon‘s hairstyles, the reason why this performance has been brought up again is due to her hairstyle that day.
Chaewon was dressed in a lacy heart-shaped top and jeans. Her hair was styled in multiple braids but covered by a beanie.
Chaewon 
Many fans were shocked by the styling, as the braids appear to be imitating a protective hairstyle of the Black community. Some have misidentified it as box braids. While Chaewon’s hair is braided, the stylist made it messier, possibly intentionally imitating the appearance of locks or butterfly braids. Even the beanie could be considered a replacement for a durag.
Chaewon and them braids she had… pic.twitter.com/YcoFlsHslD
— Ny ⁷ – p1ece era (@imh1shope) March 26, 2024
anddd see now i don’t regret deleting that stan list of mine bcs wtf is lesserafim doing.. pic.twitter.com/Nq7mg0pl2J
— car ⋆????₊˚⊹♡ (@igotchaeyo) March 26, 2024
Streets saying chaewon is wearing braids pic.twitter.com/4ni1Vbn9wc
— Buzz♡ (@NotBuzzT) March 26, 2024
Netizens expressed their frustration at the hairstyle, deeming it cultural appropriation, defined as “the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.” Many styles we see in K-Pop are cultural appropriation, directly taking inspiration from other cultures, while the original people group experienced prejudice and racism throughout history for these same things that people now want to use as “aesthetic.”
African-American women did everything they could to hold on to their ancestral tradition of wearing intricately braided styles. Nevertheless, when Emancipation took place in 1865, it brought along a desire to leave all things which recalled the horrific time of slavery behind.
During the Great Migration, Black women began to migrate and flock to cities like Chicago and New York. They usually took on jobs as domestics, one of the few positions open to them. But braids quickly became synonymous with backwardness. Plaits and cornrows were increasingly traded in for chemically straightened or pressed hair.
— Lydia Kiros via Amplify Africa
@xiuminionrepost since the sound got removed and everybody mad
still posting exo tho
llesserafimcchaewonkkazuhassakurayyunjineeunchaeeexoeexolccallmebabyooverdosettempoxxiuminssuhobbaekhyuncchanyeolcchenkkyungsookkaissehunxxiuminionkkpopmmemeskkpopfypmmakethisviralxyzbca #viral
chaewon wearing braids wasn't on my 2024 list..
— ً (@forbamgyuu) March 26, 2024
On the other hand, some fans have defended Chaewon, pointing out that it likely was out of her control as idols are styled by professional stylists. Additionally, her hair isn’t exactly cultural appropriation. There are many braided hairstyles.
@bangchanslaptop997Im not on anyones side except my own. The braids she has aren’t even close to what yall think they are. They are not even in size. They are not clean. Let idols have diferent hair styles so they don’t have to fry their hair everyday. #fyp #fypシ #braids #idols #lesserafim #chaewon #kpop
LE SSERAFIM has received increased criticism regarding alleged cultural appropriation due to “Smart” and some styling. Read more below.
LE SSERAFIM Yunjin’s New Concept Photos Sparks Divided Reactions Over Alleged Cultural Appropriation
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