MAMAMOO member Hwasa‘s recent photoshoot has been hit with unexpected criticism.
Hwasa | @_mariahwasa/Instagram
After her massive success with “Good Goodbye,” Hwasa is gearing up for a comeback with a new single, “So Cute.” On April 1, the singer released some concept photos for the song.
| @_mariahwasa/Instagram
The pictures showed Hwasa playing with children, hinting at a concept centered around childhood.
While the response to the photos was initially largely positive, it quickly soured as many began calling it “weird” and predatory for an idol to include kids in their concept photos.
I don’t think it’s ok to use real children for concepts in general.
It’s weird.
Should stop being normalized https://t.co/U548F3psLh
— 💋 (@lalisasolostan) April 1, 2026
Idk … there’s just something weird about all of this that rubs me the wrong way…I really hope I’m wrong https://t.co/KYV2D0otqk
— . (@deedee1996) April 1, 2026
Why k*ds are there ??! https://t.co/GaPnd1u8Fo
— 𝕽𝖞𝖔𝖘𝖒𝖔𝖒𝖒 ֶָ֢ ⋆.𐙚 🧡🤍🩷𐙚.⋆ ֶָ֢. ֶ (@ryosmomfr) April 1, 2026
Anyone else find this weird https://t.co/b1FWEWoJUq
— Babo #IDODRTWRK (@aesbabo_) April 1, 2026
Some also half-jokingly implied that Hwasa was trying to spread “propaganda” to push South Korean citizens to increase the country’s birth rate.
you can tell this is south korea’s propaganda to increase birth rate https://t.co/Zcz5AbgiSw
— 🍀 (@neogens) April 1, 2026
Hwasa about to raise South Korea’s birth rate with an MV https://t.co/63uY4mWe5Y
— 나미 청이🧡 SO CUTE 9/4🌸 (@hwasupreme) April 1, 2026
These unexpected responses have left many fans completely flabbergasted. As they came to Hwasa’s defense, many pointed out that the song was dedicated to the singer’s younger self.
a song dedicated to hwasa’s younger self 🥹 https://t.co/cFofB2cuxT pic.twitter.com/vK8tYIRzTQ
— 화사 hwasa’s twit 🌸 (@whoreforhyejin) April 1, 2026
qrts are so weird tf when it’s a song dedicated to her younger self and probably to her nieces https://t.co/r0LNo2jqIB
— 𝑑. (@lunamoon104) April 2, 2026
Fans also argued that automatically assuming predatory behavior simply at the sight of children was an unhealthy mentality.
I’ve never seen something more idiotic than people who think seeing children in media is automatically predatory or propaganda for childbirth like what a massive self report https://t.co/yt0WI1IRwz
— jae (@zenjaesh) April 2, 2026
“any one else find this weird?” no TF https://t.co/ouRF5ex28B
— ` (@byulssatellite) April 1, 2026
“I hope I’m wrong..” yeah you are, open the window, let air in, go outside, take a walk and look at real people
If u see kids and your first thought is about that, you and your environment are the problem https://t.co/uQZyndQujz
— Janribr | IA (@janritwit) April 1, 2026
people thinking about predatory stuff or motherhood and I’m here thinking that this may be about healing your childhood ??? your inner child ??? why are y’all so fucking weird 😭😭😭 https://t.co/f2H8aneByQ
— May⁷⁺⁵ (@shy_g1rl00) April 2, 2026
Meanwhile, Hwasa has released multiple video teasers of “So Cute,” offering a bit more insight into the song’s concept. The track will come out on April 9, KST.
MAMAMOO