Viral “Pikki Pikki Dance” Cheerleader Lee Joo-eun Faces Backlash Over Revealing Outfit Amid Rising Popularity
Cheerleader Lee Joo-eun is facing growing criticism over the revealing nature of her cheerleading uniforms, igniting heated debate across online communities in South Korea.
The Controversial Uniform and Netizens’ Reaction
The controversy began on April 10, when a netizen shared a photo of Lee Joo-eun in her uniform, questioning, “Why are such outfits necessary for cheering? It honestly looks really uncomfortable.” The post quickly drew attention, with others echoing the sentiment. “This is too much. Do we really need to see armpits, belly buttons, and thighs all at once? And even sheer sleeves?” wrote one commenter.
By April 12, the issue had intensified. Another user uploaded a video of Lee Joo-eun performing and lamented, “Regardless of how pretty she is, why must cheerleaders wear this kind of outfit?” The poster also revealed they had filed a formal complaint back in June 2020 requesting uniform changes to the club, only to receive a vague response that outfits were designed based on suggestions from the cheerleaders themselves, with feedback to be considered for future designs. “But it’s been five years, and nothing has changed,” they said, expressing frustration.
Public backlash continued to build. The next day, yet another commenter wrote, “We need to regulate these cheer outfits,” adding, “There are kids and teens at the ballpark. These aren’t idols, it’s just cheerleading, and the level of exposure keeps getting worse. We need enthusiastic guides for cheering, not sexy cheerleaders.”
Who Is Lee Joo-eun?
Cheerleader Lee Joo-eun, born in 2004 and currently 20 years old, rose to fame in 2024 during her time with the KIA Tigers cheer squad, thanks to a viral short-form video where she performed the playful and energetic Pikki Pikki dance. The clip, showing her casually fixing her makeup in the stands before instantly breaking into the dance when the music started, garnered widespread attention and boosted her popularity.
As discussions over the appropriateness of cheerleading outfits continue, the case of Lee Joo-eun has become a flashpoint for a broader cultural conversation about image, comfort, and professionalism in the world of sports entertainment.
