Between Bold and Too Much: Kwon Eun Bi’s Waterbomb 2025 Performance Sparks Mixed Reactions
The return of Waterbomb Festival to Seoul in 2025 brought no shortage of steamy performances, but it was Kwon Eun Bi, dubbed the “Waterbomb Goddess,” who once again stole the spotlight and reignited a fierce debate.
Wearing a bold red crop-top, white bralette, and denim shorts, Eun Bi lit up the stage with high-energy renditions of fan favorites like Door, Hello Stranger, and Rumor (the Produce 48 hit), joined this time by Lee Si An.
But the showstopper was her powerful cover of Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love, which quickly went viral across social media, drawing praise for her charisma, energy, and visual impact.
Sexy or excessive?
While fans celebrated her confidence and stage presence, a wave of criticism also surfaced. Some netizens accused her of crossing the line from sexy to suggestive, with comments like:
“There’s nothing left to the imagination. It’s not sexy anymore, just vulgar.”
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Others suggested she was repeating last year’s formula without much evolution, saying this year’s performance felt less tasteful or more forced.
However, supporters were quick to defend Eun Bi, pointing out that Waterbomb is a summer music festival known for its liberated and fun-loving vibe. “Male idols go shirtless. Female idols wear bralettes. Why is only Eun Bi criticized?” asked one fan, highlighting the double standard in how male and female bodies are viewed.
Many believe the backlash is rooted in body bias, arguing that idols with curvier or fuller figures like Eun Bi face more scrutiny even when wearing outfits similar to their peers.
A career-changing moment
Controversy aside, there’s no denying that Eun Bi’s Waterbomb era has transformed her image and her career. Since her breakout performance in 2023, she’s become synonymous with the summer festival, blending sexy charisma with dedication and stage craft.
Behind the scenes, she reportedly trains rigorously, even practicing choreography in the bathtub, and maintains a strict fitness routine to match the demands of Waterbomb’s “wet performance” aesthetic.
In an earlier interview, Eun Bi confessed she was nervous during her debut Waterbomb show in 2023: “It was 1PM and the crowd was thin. I was worried. But I never imagined that stage would change my entire life.”
And it did. Her income reportedly jumped dramatically after that viral moment, with a 3:7 income ratio shift compared to her pre-Waterbomb days. With full control of her solo profits, she bought a 2.4 billion KRW ($1.69 million USD) building in Seongdong, one of Seoul’s priciest districts.
From a low-key debut in 2014 to stardom via Produce 48 and IZ*ONE, Kwon Eun Bi has redefined herself as a soloist through hits like Underwater, embracing a bold, self-assured image.
She now even owns her own café and continues to build a brand around empowered sensuality and vibrant energy. In a recent interview with Super Junior D&E, she said she’s not fazed by newcomers: “You never know when or where you’ll explode. I didn’t expect a summer stage to change my life, but it did.”