K-pop fans slam GOT the beat’s ‘Step Back’ lyrics as literal step back in women's representation
Girls On Top (GOT) the Beat’s debut single “Step Back” caused a stir online as some K-pop fans found the lyrics to be a literal step back in women's representation in South Korea.
The single, performed for the first time on New Year’s Day and released online on Jan. 3, follows the story of a woman trying to warn another woman to step away from the man she likes, Genius reported.
The woman in question warns the other one of potential backlash if she defies her and accuses her of flirting with her man despite him being in a relationship. She also puts the other woman down, saying, "Try climbing your way up here. My man is on another level (Level). You can’t even dream about this level (Level)."
The lyrics of the song’s chorus, which is the focus of the recent online controversy, read: “It won’t be enough even if you’re born again.
(Step back, step back).
You’re like a poison to the good boys.
They become lonelier as they drink more.”
Many Twitter users quickly took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the lyrics.
It didn’t have to be a girl power feminist anthem, sure, but it definitely didn’t have to be about putting down some “silly girl” for some lame ass man either
— K.Lo (@bossbaechu) January 1, 2022
I'm screaming tho isn't the concept of the group supposed to be bringing women together and they got the seven of them saying step back from their man and calling women silly girls 😭
— spiritual propulsion (@dalsogucci) January 1, 2022
Another user also accused songwriter and producer Ryan Jhun, who composed thelyrics for “Step Back,” of portraying women as “jealous” and “self-absorbed.”
girls on top by boa: about defying stereotypes and expectations, celebrating the excellency of all women
stepback by girls on top written by ryan jhun: ‘this isnt the place for you, step back’ ‘theres a lot more girls like you than you think’ ‘dont delude yourself’ ‘silly girl’
— thinking abt LOONA 💭 (@loonasthinker) January 1, 2022
ryan jhun was the composer and lyricist for their song. he has a history of using sexual slurs directed at female idols, including minors and groups he has worked with. the original song by boa is about empowering women. his lyrics for stepback portray women as jealous and self-
— thinking abt LOONA 💭 (@loonasthinker) January 1, 2022
absorbed, telling women this isnt the place for them, belittling them, and putting other women down. like many countries, korea has seen a spike of incels and violence targetting women. take the olympic archer an san for example. she won multiple golds for south korea at the-
— thinking abt LOONA 💭 (@loonasthinker) January 1, 2022
2020/2021 games. despite her undeniable talent and accomplishments for her home team, she was violently harassed for having short hair and being a feminist. ryan is still working with sm and many many other companies. he even debuted a gg under his own label recently…
— thinking abt LOONA 💭 (@loonasthinker) January 1, 2022
However, one Twitter user shared a screenshot of another person’s comment, explaining their interpretation of the “Step Back” lyrics. In summary, the song’s narrator was apparently trying to fight off a “homewrecker," adding that the man in the song is a "faithful person" who shows no interest in the other woman.
Saw at the comments. Thank me later~ pic.twitter.com/1OdYEbTIY8
— 💙 = KACY = 💙 (@YangelKac) January 1, 2022
South Korea is experiencing a surge of anti-feminist movements as many young male activists continue to spread misogynistic rhetoric targeting online feminists and those they perceive to be supporters of the women's rights movement.
Some young men in the country believe men, not women, are the ones who are being threatened and marginalized, while nearly 70% of men in their 20s think they have been victims of serious gender discrimination, a May 2021 poll revealed, The New York Times reported.
Three-time Tokyo Games gold medalist An San became a target of online anti-feminist activists last year after she appeared at the Tokyo Games sporting a short haircut. The sexist comments she received online prompted many social media users to come to the South Korean archer's side and show their support, as NextShark previously reported.
Featured Image via Girls On Top
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