NewJeans’ label ADOR responds to criticism of “sexual” lyrics in ‘Cookie’ with extensive statement

nme.com:

HYBE subsidiary ADOR has released a lengthy statement addressing the controversy surrounding the lyrics of ‘Cookie’, a single by the label’s artist and rookie girl group NewJeans.On August 27, the label uploaded a statement to its official website in Korean and English addressing concerns surrounding the lyrical content of ‘Cookie’, which is part of the group’s debut EP ‘New Jeans’.After its release on August 1, the song came under fire by listeners criticising the lyrics as “sexual” and inappropriate due to the ages of NewJeans’ members, which range from 14 to 18 (15 to 19 years in Korean age).

Some lines listeners singled out from the lyrics include “Looking at my cookie / Do you ever smell it different? (Taste it) / What’s with a bite, isn’t enough?”.

Some listeners also pointed out how the word “cookie” is also colloquial slang for genitalia among some English-speakers.The members of NewJeans have said in a previously-released TikTok that the “cookie” in the track refers to their fresh music and sound.

ADOR maintains this position in its statement, which also includes a in-depth explanation of all four songs on the act’s self-titled debut EP.“The ADOR team didn’t take any issue with the lyrics to ‘Cookie’ when we were making the album because our vision for original and wholesome music was crystal clear to us,” said the label, adding that “slang terms aren’t taught in school and not everyone is familiar with them.”ADOR also said that it had consulted with English-language professors and interpreters regarding the controversy, who the label claims suggested that it was not a “commonplace interpretation” of the word.