13-year-old A2O LITE member Aijing is at the center of a fresh wave of online criticism after fans slammed her stage outfit from the group’s October 19 performance as looking like “underwear,” reigniting concerns over how the extremely young group’s styling is being handled.
Aijing of A2O LITE (Credits: Koreaboo)
The rookie group, which only recently debuted, has an average age of just 15 — with three members, including Aijing, reportedly only 13. Ever since their debut, netizens have voiced discomfort with how young the members are, and the latest performance on the new K-Pop Show poured fuel on that fire.
While many praised the group’s live performance, photos and clips from the show quickly drew attention to the shortness of the members’ outfits. Aijing in particular wore short shorts over safety shorts, paired with a slightly cropped top. The look was widely compared to underwear, and many viewers called out the low camera angles used during the broadcast as making the situation even more uncomfortable to watch.
Netizens Call Out the Styling
Korean netizens were blunt in their criticism, arguing that the issue goes beyond short clothing. Several commenters said dressing children in figure-hugging outfits designed for adult idols is inappropriate, with one popular remark noting that the group is made up of kids “whose bodies haven’t even finished developing.” Others questioned why the stylists keep repeating the same mistake, pointing out that an earlier outing had already triggered the same complaints.
Concerns Beyond the Outfit
This is far from the group’s first controversy. Alongside the outfit backlash, the young group has faced scrutiny over the members’ ages, working conditions, and other issues — including a recent controversy involving Aijing’s mother and unpaid wages that prompted a public apology. For a group whose members are barely teenagers, critics say the pattern raises serious questions about how they are being managed.
Whether the agency will respond to this latest wave of criticism remains to be seen, but for many fans, the message is clear: let kids dress like kids.
Also Read: A2O SOUL’s 15 Members Reveal the Real Dorm Life: Bathroom Lines Decided by Age Order
Source: Koreaboo — read the full story there.
