(G)I-DLE donates 50 million won to Korean Red Cross after costume controversy

The five members of the group — Soyeon, Miyeon, Yuqi, Shuhua and Minnie — donated 10 million won each to aid in flood damage repairs, the Korean Red Cross said Monday.
The Korean Red Cross has been continuing its emergency relief and recovery activities in various regions nationwide that were severely affected by heavy rains since July 8.

“(G)I-DLE’s support will be a great comfort and strength for those affected by the flood,” said Kim Chul-soo, chairman of the Korean Red Cross.

(G)I-DLE came under fire when the girl group appeared on KBS2’s music show “Music Bank” (1998-) on July 19 to perform its song “Klaxon” while donning lifeguard-themed costumes featuring the Red Cross emblem. Viewers criticized the girl group’s use of the emblem on the costume, which violates the Organization of the Republic of Korea National Red Cross Act.

The law states that any person who is not representing the Red Cross, or has not obtained approval from a military medical institution or the organization itself, shall not use the Red Cross emblem or any emblem similar to it for business or advertising purposes.

(G)I-DLE’s agency Cube Entertainment immediately apologized, promising to never repeat the mistake of using the Red Cross without permission.

“We recognized that the stage costume had an issue and have been in contact with the Korean Red Cross,” Cube Entertainment said at the time. “We would like to sincerely apologize once again regarding the issue and to those related.”

(G)I-DLE debuted in 2018 under Cube Entertainment. (G)I-DLE is known for its hits — mostly composed and produced by the leader Soyeon — “Latata” (2019), “Lion” (2020), “DUMDi DUMDi” (2020), “Tomboy” (2022) and “Nxde” (2022). The girl group released its seventh EP “I Sway” with lead track “Klaxon” on July 8.

To find out more about (G)I-DLE, visit Celeb Confirmed!  

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]