Exploring (G)I-DLE’s ‘Queendom’ and Feminist Message
Reaching meteoric success since their 2018 debut, (G)I-DLE has truly made their mark on K-pop, bringing quiet yet powerful revolutionary themes and messages famous to their legions of fans. One of their biggest messages was found on their 2019 Queen of Queendom comeback, in which the group eloquently showcases their brand of feminism and self-empowerment.
What Is Queendom?
The group’s official fandom is known as Neverland, and each of the albums released throughout 2019 explored and emphasised the values of a different type of character from this Neverland. Their music and image explored the themes of a “White Witch” and a “Lonely Queen”, but most importantly, their final release of the year was for their “Queen of Queendom”.
Using a mix of fantasy and reality, the “Queen of Queendom” conveys a message to “create your own beliefs and values” and develop self-confidence in life. In this regard, the Queendom was intended to be a feminist expression of independence, showcasing the true power of women in leading the world.
How Does (G)I-DLE Showcase Their Feminist Message?
(G)I-DLE’s gifts to their fans have been their beautiful expressions of self-love, independence and courage. In the music video for “Queendom”, all the girl members are dressed in gorgeous white gowns, and there are bodies of water and plants all around them. All the while, they wave their arms and lift their hands above their heads, as if they are opening and changing the world.
The symbolism here is parallel, with the goal of Queendom being the growth, progressiveness, and the independence of women in the world. These girls, clothed in white and moving in perfect harmonious energy, are here to show that even though the path of life may not always be easy, it is achievable and freeing.
The lyrics also move away from traditional K-pop concepts, taking on a more intense tone and a social message. Both the lyrics and video are incredibly moving, and contain empowering lines that further express the group’s opinions and ideas on self-love and a feminist lifestyle. One such example is, “I have the power to spin the world. My foot will make a long line”.
What Other Songs Speak to (G)I-DLE’s Feminist Views?
(G)I-DLE’s track “Lion” was released before the “Queendom” concept and certainly reflected their feminist viewpoints. In the song, the girls sing fearlessly against any sort of discrimination, declaring their worthiness and order to be loved. The chorus is repeated again and again, as if echoing a call to arms, “Cause I want to be loved and respected, so I’m like a lion”.
Moreover, the band’s 2019 release, “Uh-Oh”, along with their 2018 period, addressed the dangers that accompany self-doubt, which once again highlighted the significance of strong will, focus and confidence that are essential for success.
What Does the Future Hold for (G)I-DLE?
The future looks incredibly bright for (G)I-DLE and their Queendom concept. Despite only debuting less than 2 years ago, the 6-member girl group has already achieved remarkable success, bagging numerous awards and performing sold-out concerts worldwide.
There is no doubt that (G)I-DLE will continue to spread their message of self-love, acceptance and power. While better representation of female-owned music still has a long way to go, groups like (G)I-DLE are pushing through struggles and embracing the beauty of being feminine and strong.
Conclusion
At the core of (G)I-DLE’s “Queendom” concept lies a powerful message- A message of self-love and ownership of one’s own space. With the release of “Queendom”, the group brought a new definition of strength and independence to K-pop, and hopefully, with their ongoing success, they will have the opportunity to continue to show the world the true power of feminism.