Netizens are completely turned off.
A popular female pop star has triggered some heated discussions on Korean online forums around feminism and pandering to misogyny.
The artist in question is American singer Sabrina Carpenter. She announced the release date of her upcoming album, Man’s Best Friend, on her social media on June 11. The announcement also included the album cover, which showed Sabrina kneeling before a male figure who was pulling her head up by a fistful of hair.
My new album, “Man’s Best Friend” 🐾
is out on August 29, 2025.i can’t wait for it to be yours x
Pre-order now: https://t.co/E7QJWhYV2D pic.twitter.com/UXVLzBQTj4
— Sabrina Carpenter (@SabrinaAnnLynn) June 11, 2025
The poster immediately sparked a huge controversy, as many felt it was reminiscent of the misogynistic ads of the 1950s that used domestic violence imagery as a means of promoting a product.
Though many fans defended the pop star, arguing that it was a satirical take, the criticism continued.
Korean netizens also weighed in on the discussion, expressing their disappointment and disgust at the image.
- “What is she doing? Is money all that matters? She must have lost it.”
- “That’s just straight up p*rn.”
- “Considering that Sabrina’s main fanbase is overwhelmingly female, it just feels bleak, like women themselves are bringing down women’s rights. It really shows how two-faced a country like the U.S. is, lol. It’s harmful, seriously.”
- “F*ck.”
- “The reactions on Reddit were really good.”
- “It’s even more harmful than pin-up girls from decades ago.”
- “There are so many female pop singers with the ‘pick-me girl’ concept. You know it, but you still listen to their songs.”