On July 6, Kwon Eunbi took the stage at Waterbomb 2025, where she reunited with Lee Sian to perform “Rumor”, a stage they first presented during Produce 48. She also wowed the audience with a bold cover of Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love,” drawing significant attention.
In particular, Kwon Eunbi appeared in a refreshing summer outfit short denim shorts paired with a red plaid shirred blouse. As soon as the music started, she untied the blouse she had initially worn tied up, revealing a daring white knit bikini top, immediately capturing the crowd’s attention.
After the performance, she uploaded several photos of herself in her Waterbomb outfit on her personal social media, striking various poses. Fan-taken fancam videos quickly spread across YouTube and online communities, going viral.
Applause for Performance, Concerns Over Comments
Wearing a revealing outfit that showed off her fit, model-like figure, Kwon Eunbi also drew praise for her energetic choreography and stage presence. She even performed bold moves like sitting on the stage floor. Netizens responded with a mix of cheers and concern.
Comments praising her performance poured in, with reactions such as:
“The outfits and dance moves are stunning,”
“She’s smiling like a goddess on stage,”
“It felt like an international pop star had arrived,”
“She’s confident and knows how to highlight her strengths.”
However, concerns emerged over the inappropriate and sexualized comments appearing beneath her videos. Some fans expressed dismay at how certain corners of the internet have turned Waterbomb into a “spectacle of exposure,” with some even stating they now fear hearing about their favorite female idols attending the event.
One commenter noted, “Last time she wore a more covered outfit and got criticized, but at least it felt less worrisome.” Another pointed out how such environments make it difficult for idols to focus solely on enjoying the music and connecting with fans.
Setting a “Standard”?
Beyond the mixed praise and mockery over her revealing outfit, there is also controversy surrounding comparisons between Kwon Eunbi and other female performers at Waterbomb. While Waterbomb features a wide range of artists—including 2NE1, aespa’s Karina, Jay Park, MONSTA X, and BTOB’s Minhyuk—Kwon Eunbi’s outfit from the 2023 Waterbomb event became such a viral sensation that female celebrities’ Waterbomb appearances are now under heightened scrutiny.
Some attendees have voiced disappointment when female artists perform in their regular stage outfits, claiming they are “not Waterbomb-worthy.”
Such comparisons have sparked concern among fans of various artists, including Kwon Eunbi’s. They point out that the atmosphere at Waterbomb is veering in an unhealthy direction, where artists are being pressured to meet unofficial standards of exposure. Choosing stage outfits should be the artist’s own creative decision, and criticizing those choices can cross the line into infringing on artistic freedom.
A Broader Issue
More troubling is the rise in harassing comments disguised as admiration, where revealing outfits are misused as justification for inappropriate remarks. Wearing a bold outfit is never an excuse for sexual harassment, but anonymous users continue to exploit this misunderstanding.
For artists who simply want to express freshness and confidence on stage, such misinterpretations and toxic responses are emotionally draining.Meanwhile, Kwon Eunbi, who earned the title of “Waterbomb Goddess” in 2023 for her stunning outfit, has since expanded her presence into variety shows and more. Her successful career continues to draw attention, including the recent news that she became the owner of a ₩2.4 billion (approx. $1.7 million) building just two years into her prime.
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