Psy’s New Girl Group Baby DONT Cry Debuts Amid Outrage: Bold Concept or PR Misfire?
On June 23, Baby DONT Cry, the first girl group launched by PSY’s label P Nation, made their official debut at the Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Seoul. Despite excitement around their new digital single “F Girl,” the group has found themselves at the center of controversy over alleged sexualization — a debate that has sparked concern among K-pop fans and the general public alike.
The group consists of four members — Yihyun, Kumi, Mia, and Beni — and includes at least one underage performer. Branded as “mischievous girls breaking the mold,” the group aims to subvert traditional “innocent girl” K-pop imagery. The debut track, produced by (G)I-DLE’s Soyeon, fuses a guitar-driven beat with a message of self-confidence and rebellion against judgment based on grades or appearances.
“The song is about not caring what others think and being confident in who you are,” said Yihyun. The members also praised Jeon Soyeon for her mentorship and guidance during recording, with Beni describing the collaboration as “a dream.”
However, the excitement surrounding the group’s bold concept has been dimmed by harsh criticism. The music video teaser for “F Girl,” released on June 20, featured provocative symbolism — including a candy wrapper resembling a condom, a pad-shaped rug stained with cherry juice, and an exploding cherry — elements many viewed as overtly sexual, especially problematic given the age of some members.
P Nation quickly responded, releasing a statement on June 22, “The visuals were meant to be cheeky and rebellious, not sexual. However, to prevent misunderstanding, we’ve removed the controversial scenes from the final MV.” They also defended the use of cherries, claiming it represented the group’s “bold and vibrant image.”
Despite the statement, backlash continued online, with critics accusing P Nation of “baiting” attention through controversy only to retreat under pressure. During the debut showcase, the issue was further inflamed when media questions about the controversy were blocked by host Park Kyung-lim, signaling the label’s unwillingness to address the matter publicly.
Meanwhile, Baby DONT Cry expressed heartfelt gratitude for their debut moment. Beni shared, “It hasn’t been easy, but I’m truly grateful to be here. I hope we get to meet more fans and show them who we are.” Yihyun added, “I’m incredibly nervous but also excited. This still feels unreal.”
When asked about their aspirations, the group didn’t hesitate, “Winning Rookie of the Year. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime dream,” said Beni.
As their journey begins, Baby DONT Cry finds itself walking a fine line between boundary-pushing creativity and the responsibilities of debuting underage idols. Whether this moment marks a bold new chapter or a cautionary tale for K-pop’s future remains to be seen.
