Hwasa's Bold Move: The Story Behind the 'No Bra' Movement

After the whirlwind of her controversial “no bra” movement in 2019, Hwasa finally unpacked the tale behind it—an episode she labels as the most “unexpected” twist of her career. In a freshly uploaded video on the YouTube channel, Studio Suze, TV personality Jang Sung Kyu warmly welcomed MAMAMOO’s own Hwasa as her special guest, ready to dive into the juicy details of the controversies that have peppered her journey as a solo artist.

Remember that fateful day when Hwasa turned heads at the airport—sans a bra? It was a moment that created quite a commotion, especially since her late friend Sulli had earlier faced a storm of backlash for doing something similar. Yet, to everyone’s surprise, it wasn’t just chatter; many women rallied behind Hwasa, inspired to liberate themselves from the confines of their bras, led by her audacious swagger.

In a conservative society, where tradition often pulls the strings, Hwasa emerged as an unexpected heroine, offering courage to women seeking comfort and health benefits from ditching their undergarments. However, as with any bold move, the male journalists weren’t so kind, brandishing their pens like swords and criticizing her for daring to defy the tightly-knit fabric of social norms.

Fast forward five years, and Hwasa, reflecting on the buzz her movement generated, admitted she was utterly bewildered by how it blew up. "I woke up one day and thought, why not?” she confessed, describing her own shock at the magnitude of the reaction. “When I wear a bra, I feel so bloated after eating. Indigestion has been my unwelcome companion since childhood,” she added with a tone that conveyed both humor and exasperation.

She continued with an air of incredulity, “I really wondered… how long do I have to keep wearing it? So, I just made a decision to ease into bralessness in more casual settings—I simply didn't realize it was such a scandalous act. I had no idea of the uproar it would cause!”

As we glance back at the evolving standards in K-pop fashion, from Sulli’s groundbreaking “no bra” moment to Jennie’s daring “underboob” trend, it’s evident not just fashion but the very fabric of societal ties is up for re-examination. Here’s hoping the narrative continues to take unexpected—and liberating—turns.