HYBE’s New Girl Group Already Embroiled In Racist Controversy

Three fifth-generation girl group idols are facing major backlash for their outfits on SBS’s Inkigayo this week.

TUIDE’s Seoyeon and Jia joined Baby DONT Cry‘s Yihyun as special MCs on this week’s episode, and their styling has come under major scrutiny. All three stars wore outfits with earth-toned colors, fringe detailing, and geometric patterns that appeared to be imitating Native American traditional clothing.

260906 Special MC #서연 & #지아

Seoyeon and Jia special MC on sbs INKIGAYO today!#SEOYEON #JIA #튜이드 #TUIDE pic.twitter.com/UHmnpbjOk7

— tutu (@tuideimnida) September 6, 2026

Clips from the show spread fast online, with many fans slamming the look as “mocking,” disrespectful, and racist.

now why the mcs of inkigayo dressed like native americans?? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/xnLwtLMsll

— saba (@yazzsss) September 6, 2026

What was even the goal here

— dee💽saw bts and kensza (@karxjoon) September 6, 2026

kpop can’t go a day without doing some racist bullshit

— yuu is TIRED ≽ ^⎚ ˕ ⎚^ ≼ (@neogotyuurback) September 6, 2026

While some defended the idols with claims that they may not have had bad intentions, others pointed out that the styling could still be seen as cultural appropriation. By reducing sacred and ceremonial elements from hundreds of distinct Native nations into a single generic “costume,” outfits like these are often criticized for stripping cultural symbols of their meaning and erasing the long history of Native communities.

Seoyeon and Jia later posted a TikTok video wearing the same outfits.

@tuide_official

Lɑ-ℓɑ-ℓɑ-ℓɑ-ℓɑ-ℓɑ-ℓɑ-ℓɑ-ℓɑ-ℓɑ (𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤!) #TUIDE #튜이드 #SEOYEON #JIA

♬ 행복(Happiness) – Red Velvet

The two TUIDE members in particular are facing the most surprise and frustration from fans given that the new HYBE girl group debuted less than two weeks ago.

this group not even being a month old 😭😭😭😭

— dojaejung enjoyer (@vlvtss) September 6, 2026

tuide just debuted and they alr got put in indigenous outfits are you serious

— ִ ࣪𖤐.ᐟ (@420mtndew) September 6, 2026

Some are accusing HYBE of setting the rookies up by approving the styling, while others say the members themselves need to take responsibility. As of yet, neither TUIDE nor Baby DONT Cry’s agencies have addressed the controversy.