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Topless coeds’ poster sparks controversy

November 12, 2014

It is customary for seniors to take studio photographs with their friends. However, this particular photo drew controversy when it was made into a poster for a graduation recital — an official school event.

By Lee Ji-hye

A poster showing topless art students posing has gone viral on social media after it was uploaded on a personal online account.

Eighteen modern dance students at Chonbuk National University in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, took the now-famous photograph to commemorate their graduation, reports said.

The photos show the dancers 17 female and one male shirtless and with their backs to the camera.

“Things are difficult in our department as a result of this poster going viral,” Kim Yoon-ah, a teaching assistant in the dance department, told The Korea Times.

Kim said the students took the photo to “capture a moment before graduation,” but there had been a considerable backlash online.

“If only they had told the department office before posting the photo online, they could have avoided damaging the school’s reputation,” she said.

She said some alumni believed the poster was officially sanctioned by the school and contacted the department asking that it be taken down.

Kim said some alumni reported being “embarrassed” because the photo had appeared on online community boards at their workplaces.

But others questioned why the picture was considered “controversial” to begin with.

“It’s their expression of freedom,” said one online commenter. “They want to be able to remember the age when they looked the most beautiful. I don’t see what’s so problematic.”

“It has artistic value,” another commenter said. “Considering that they’re from the arts department, it is a way of expressing themselves in what they’re specializing in.”

Despite the criticism, faculty members said they would not ask the students to remove the picture from social media.

The graduation performance will consist of classical ballet performances as well as traditional Korean dances. It is slated to take place on Nov. 26.