Korean celebrities embrace honesty about cosmetic procedures, sparking public interest
From left, Shinji, Go Hyun-jung and Min Hyo-rin / Xportsnews
A growing number of South Korean celebrities are openly discussing their cosmetic procedures, signaling a cultural shift in how stars engage with the public about beauty standards.
On Tuesday, Shinji of K-pop trio Koyote posted on her personal social media, “Whatever. It’s obvious anyway, so I’ll just say it,” admitting she had undergone double eyelid surgery. Her visibly more prominent eyelid crease immediately caught fans’ attention.
“It’s only been a week, but I’m grateful for the last-minute schedule I was able to attend,” Shinji wrote, preemptively addressing potential criticism. “Once the swelling goes down, it’ll look similar to before. So, no saying ‘You looked better before.’ Wait until it heals.”
Shinji / Captured from Shinji's social media
Broadcaster Jang Young-ran also drew attention recently for revealing she has had four eyelid surgeries. She even shared a candid moment consulting for eyeliner tattoo removal. Similarly, actress Han Ye-seul revealed she receives Ultherapy yearly, a noninvasive procedure that stimulates collagen production.
“It depends on your skin type, but I start the year fresh with Ultherapy,” she said. “It’s painful, so I get it under sedation. Since I’m already under, I also get Dermatoxin and Rejuran treatments at the same time. If my skin feels off mid-year, I sometimes get Thermage as well.”
Comedian Kim Sook also talked about undergoing Ultherapy, sharing on a livestream that she received 600 shots in one session. She mentioned that although she had considered a facelift, her doctor advised against it for now. “Apparently, the effect is better when this area sags more,” she said, referring to her nasolabial folds. “So I was told it wouldn’t make much difference yet.”
Kim Sook talks about Ultherapy on a livestream. Captured from Kim's YouTube channel
Lee Si-an, who rose to fame through the Netflix reality show “Single’s Inferno 2,” was praised for candidly admitting to facial contouring and rhinoplasty. “It hasn’t been long since I became prettier,” she added.
Actress Min Hyo-rin also previously acknowledged getting double eyelid surgery and dental laminates, though she emphasized her nose is “100 percent natural.”
“I really didn’t get a nose job,” she said. “I only had the double eyelid surgery and laminates on my agency CEO’s suggestion.”
Actress Go Hyun-jung once made a blunt admission on a TV show. When asked by host Choi Hwa-jung if she had gotten eye surgery, she responded, “Unni, I also had my nose done.”
With more stars candidly sharing their cosmetic journeys, audiences are showing increased interest — and perhaps greater understanding — of the pressures and decisions behind the scenes.
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.