Outrage Grows Over Cheerleader Outfits: “The Uniform Design Has Gone Too Far”

Controversy is heating up online over the revealing outfits worn by cheerleaders, with netizens voicing serious concerns about the current state of the industry.

Following an article that featured cheerleaders speaking out about having to perform in overly revealing uniforms, reactions across platforms like Twitter and female-centered forums have exploded.

Many pointed out that the cheerleading culture itself has grown disturbingly exploitative, with some saying that “fan photographers,” known as “찍덕” (jjikdeok), have made the environment even worse than many realize.

Netizens have expressed their opinions:

• Compared to the U.S., you’re a noble. What’s the big deal, you pig.
• What is that? It’s really creepy, and I can imagine flight attendants would feel terrible seeing that.
• It’s neither pretty nor comfortable for cheerleading, it’s just for eye candy, so it’s uncomfortable to look at.ㅠ When I saw the Doosan cheerleaders wearing their uniforms before, they looked prettier, and it seemed better for promotion as well.
• Why are they dressing her in those old-fashioned, stinky clothes when a uniform with shorts looks the best? The exposure is one thing, but it’s just not pretty at all.
• Ugly, chubby people with thighs full of cellulite get cheered on for being ‘cool’ and ‘brave’ when they expose themselves, but when pretty women with good bodies do the same, they get attacked for ‘degrading women’s rights’ and ‘leading sexual objectification,’ calling them ‘self-haters.’ Haha. And the reason women’s futures get ruined isn’t because of men, it’s because of jealousy from ugly women.

Many are now demanding industry-wide changes, from implementing dress codes focused on functionality to creating safer environments for cheerleaders who have often been treated as commodities rather than athletes or entertainers.

The controversy surrounding Lee Joo-eun may have been the spark, but the conversation has clearly evolved into a larger reckoning about the values and standards of modern cheer culture.