Third-Gen Idol’s Photoshoot With Children Deemed “Weird”

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