If It Is You (Y.Jw) [Sequel]

A Sexist Industry

The music industry is sadly a very rough place to be a woman. A woman's career and success is often determined by her looks rather than her talents. In the past few years it's been brought out in the light more, and to quote Musician's Union; "51% of women in music have been discriminated against due to their gender. A third of women in music have been sexually harassed. Female musicians are paid less and have shorter careers – despite on average being more trained and educated."

This chapter is to simply to show different scenarios of how sexism may play out in the music industry, depicted with the K-pop industry in mind. Please remember all of these are fictional events in this case, but for some musicians in the real world this has been very true events.

*Warnings: Harassment, inappropriate touching and comments, discrimination against female artist

July 2022, Press Conference, Seoul

As per usual each comeback needed a press conference for the media before we had our official comeback on television and with a comeback show. Of course both of which had been filmed prior to the press conference, which we now all were sat at. As per usual I sat with a pen and a notepad, like the rest of us, quietly drawing and doodling as the journalists asked questions about the comeback.

"Question for miss Choi," a journalist spoke up and I immediately looked out to the crowd and picked up my microphone, readying myself for the horror of a question I could be given, "we're curious as to how you feel about the choreography for this comeback," well that was a pleasant surprise.

"Oh well... I'm pretty satisfied," I nodded with a small smile, "I think we have a great team of choreographers. Very talented and lovely to work with. They know exactly how to make sure each member gets to shine through, and that's quite important and impressive, I would say. Personally I really love the choreography for our B-Side, Paradoxx Invasion."

"Exactly the one I hoped to get addressed," the reported hummed and looked down at his notes, "it's not quite feminine."

"Of course not," I chuckled and shook my head.

"Well, some people might find it offensive to see a female idol, like yourself, do hip thrusts on stage," the reporter remarked and I hummed, "are you worried about how it will be received?"

"No," I shortly answered, "do you find it offensive, sir?"

"I find it more shocking-" he started and I decided to cut him off before he came with the comment I could feel building up in him.

"I'm flattered that you find it concerning for my career, but I don't think you should worry about it," I assured with a small smile, "I will make sure to give my all in the hip thrusts needed in our choreography. You will not see a difference in my energy in comparison to the rest off my group members. I can assure you of that... do you speak German, sir?"

"I don't, no-"

"Look up the word dummkopf. It would look nice in your report. I suggest you use it about anyone finding my hip thrusting offensive," I finished with a small smile and a nod, continuing to doodle around on my paper.

Luckily enough the press conference was leaning towards an end and soon enough we were escorted off stage and away from the press. However, we had barely gotten down to our dressing room before I had been pulled aside by one of our managers. Dragged to a corner while I packed my bag.

"That comment out there was completely unacceptable," the manager remarked and crossed his arms across his chest.

"I found the question unacceptable," I murmured in return.