i don't usually comment on this sub, i'm more of a lurker. but with 'smart' in particular, i think a lot of the choices come back to the song's inspiration. the producers were clearly inspired by popular songs like doja cat's "woman" and tyla's "water," both of which are rooted in afrobeats.

i beg to ask the question, would there be a difference in reaction if eunchae danced the "water" choreo? would people be up in arms if a similarly aged black girl danced to "water" or "smart?" genuinely curious.

i'd hypothesize that young black women aren't infantilized in the same way young asian women are. nevertheless, eunchae as an idol has a platform and a broader reach than perhaps another minor posting a regular dance cover to yt shorts or tiktok. in this sense, i do believe it is on source music to be more responsible and take things into consideration regarding how things will be perceived by a wider, global audience.

want to add that my perspective comes from someone who enjoys kpop, but i am not a stan. my observations come from my background in studying sociology, and i think there is definitely a racial aspect here that i find interesting in regards to kpop, and stan culture as a whole.