"Sexualization" vs "No Problem"... Controversy Over YouTuber Filming 'Flight Attendant Lookbook' in Underwear

YouTuber Appears in Underwear Wearing Korean Air-Inspired Uniform
Netizens Criticize as "Flight Attendant Sexualization" and "Occupational Disparagement"
Expert Says "Legal Sanctions Difficult but Criticism Is Natural"

A video titled 'Flight Attendant Lookbook / Airline Uniform + Compression Stockings Coordination' was uploaded to YouTube on the 2nd of last month. It has been criticized for sexualizing flight attendants. Photo by YouTube capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] A female YouTuber has sparked controversy over sexual objectification by releasing a so-called 'Look Book' video showing herself appearing in underwear and then putting on a flight attendant uniform. This video uploaded on YouTube is accessible to anyone, including children and adolescents, without any restrictions. Criticism has arisen that it sexualizes flight attendants and concerns have been raised that it could instill distorted perceptions about certain professions.

The YouTuber A, who runs a Look Book channel on YouTube, posted a video titled "Flight Attendant Look Book / Airline Uniform + Compression Stockings Coordination" on the 2nd of last month. In the video, A appears wearing underwear and says, "Today, I prepared a flight attendant look book," showing herself putting on a sky-blue silk blouse, a white skirt, and compression stockings said to be worn by actual flight attendants.

Originally, a Look Book referred to a booklet produced to provide information about a brand's clothing, but recently on YouTube, it refers to content where YouTubers appear themselves to try on and introduce outfits. The original intent was to suggest styling or introduce clothing, but some YouTubers upload overly revealing and provocative videos to increase views.

The outfit A wore in the video was almost identical in color and design to the uniforms worn by flight attendants of Korean Air, a domestic airline. A explained, "All the products shown in the video are clothes I purchased myself," adding, "This outfit is not an official uniform of any specific airline but only similar; the design and fabric are different."

After showing herself putting on the prepared outfit and stockings from underwear, A posed by placing one leg on a chair or sitting on the floor in a mermaid pose. Later, A showed herself changing out of the outfit into another attire reminiscent of a flight attendant uniform.

Teenagers looking at smartphones. Photo by Yonhap News

Netizens criticized this, saying it sexualizes flight attendants. Comments included, "This behavior can cause sexual shame to flight attendants," "Who wears stockings like that?" and "Whether you wear or take off clothes is your choice, but actions that harm a specific profession are wrong."

A netizen who identified herself as a current flight attendant expressed discomfort, saying, "My job is not about sexual appeal, so how can someone who is not a flight attendant wear the uniform and shoot a look book for sexual appeal?"

The bigger issue is that children and adolescents can watch such videos without any restrictions simply by searching. YouTube's content creation guidelines state that "posting obscene material may result in content removal or channel closure." Obscene material includes videos exposing genitals, breasts, or depicting sexual acts for sexual gratification, but in the case of Look Books, since the body is not fully exposed, the criteria for classifying them as obscene are unclear.

Currently, YouTube is flooded with Look Book videos like A's, where creators reveal their figures while changing clothes or change underwear without covering key areas, and some can be viewed without adult verification.

As a result, concerns have been raised that this could instill incorrect sexual perceptions in children and adolescents. Especially, A's video is criticized for potentially encouraging a harmful culture that sexualizes and consumes certain professions as sexual objects. However, some netizens defended A, saying, "What's wrong with this video?" and "She just looks pretty."

The industry has also taken official action. Korean Air requested A to delete the problematic video and stated that it is considering legal action in the future.

Experts analyzed that it would be difficult to legally regulate highly revealing Look Book videos. However, they suggested strengthening access controls regarding indiscriminate exposure to children and adolescents.

Attorney Lee Eun-ui (Lee Eun-ui Law Office) said, "Flight attendant Look Books do not meet the criteria for classification as obscene material, so even if sued for defamation, there is no legal basis to consider it illegal. Unless there is direct exposure of genitals, etc., there is currently no way to regulate it," adding, "However, since some people feel sexual shame from such content and consider indiscriminate exposure to minors harmful, criticism should be accepted."

She continued, "Ultimately, this should be viewed as a matter of morality and conscience," emphasizing, "However, videos that cross a certain line should be regulated, and platforms should establish evaluation and verification standards to prevent children and adolescents from being exposed to harmful content."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.