Nxde: Glitched, Gorgeous, and Unapologetic

Nxde by I-DLE is a bold and proactive music video that explores female identity, and challenges societal norms and expectations. The video employs feminist glitch aesthetics to subvert male gaze and challenge objectification of women.

Benson-Allott’s work on feminist spectacle and glitch aesthetics provides a lens to analyze Nxde’s visual language. Artists have recognized the potential of this electronic disruption to interrupt the gaze and the traditional objectification of the female body. When these 'glitches' or 'errors' occur consecutively they create opportunities for critical thought on the illusions of mainstream media. Unlike other music videos, here by 'glitch' for me it goes beyond the mere concept of being used as a video effect. The theme, sarcastic lyrics and, hyper-stylized imagery, all embody the 'glitch' or 'error' as a feminist intervention.

The use of glitch can also be seen as a metaphor for embracing imperfection and celebrating individuality, which is the primary theme of Nxde by I-DLE. Throughout the video, the group uses visual metaphors and references to pop culture icons to challenge the pervasive society’s gaze on women.

In the video we see Minnie dressed in pink, surrounded by men holding large red hearts – paying homage to Marilyn Monroe’s Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend. Through this reference I-DLE made a strong statement on how historically women have been defined by their physical appeal, rather than their intelligence or talents, focusing on Monroe’s example, who was often reduced to 'just a pretty face'.

The objectification of women is further explored in the second half of the video, where several members are depicted as art pieces being viewed as a spectacle or being auctioned, highlighting how society reduces women to be seen as images that 'sell'.

Towards the end of the music video we see an artwork being shredded. It’s a homage to Banksy, who had intentionally build her piece Girl with Balloon with a shredder inside, so if it was ever auctioned, this exact scenario would happen. This act in the video coupled with the voyeuristic gaze signifies how society views nudity as a 'luxury' that is often sexualized and objectified. The video is rich with further references to Marilyn Monroe and Banksy, such as the newspaper clippings that flash by, each depicting stereotypical labels often placed on women.

The sets in Nxde are more than just backdrops. From vintage Hollywood vanity room to museums, each space is deliberately constructed to make a statement. Throughout the video, another key stylistic choice is the frequent use of mirrors and filming sets, which, serve as a visual representation of how I-DLE is negotiating between how they want to present their authentic selves to the world and how they are being perceived.

Beyond its visual and lyrical layers Nxde also carried a strategic digital intervention. By combining the provocative title with the Korean pronunciation of the group’s erstwhile name (G)-IDLE - 'Yejo ai-deul,' (meaning - female idol) which sounds like 'female children' in Korean - the song was intentionally used to redirect harmful searches like 'female children nude' towards the group's content, music video, performances and promotions for this song instead. It's a clever use of visibility as resistance.

Nxde by I-DLE was able to turn the familiar symbols of beauty into unstable spaces - loaded with intention. The lyrics of the song question objectification, using self-aware language. The repetition of 'Why you think about nude?' isn't just rhetorical - it also forces the listener to confront their own biases. The song clearly demands a redefinition of what being seen means. In doing so, it becomes more than just a music video - it's a feminist intervention wrapped in pop aesthetics.

References

1. The message, cinematics, and Emotional Impact of “NXDE” by (G)I-DLE – Page 2 – The Narrative Transformation Lab (no date). https://tntlab.carterschool.gmu.edu/discover/rabbit-holes/the-message-cinematics-and-emotional-impact-of-nxde-by-gi-dle/2/.

2. Benson-Allott, C. (2013) ‘Going Gaga for glitch,’ The Oxford Handbook of Sound and Image in Digital Media, pp. 126–139. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199757640.013.003.

3. Entertainment writer (2022). https://newuniversity.org/2022/11/18/gi-dle-go-nxde-baring-their-authentic-selves-on-marilyn-monroe-inspired-track/.

4. Image source – https://tntlab.carterschool.gmu.edu/discover/rabbit-holes/the-message-cinematics-and-emotional-impact-of-nxde-by-gi-dle/2/