It has been years, and still, there are a lot of times that the media criticize these talented idols for the how they look. It is also inevitable to avoid getting negative comments from the netizens from time to time.
It has also been a part of the social norm to immediately judge Korean idols of going under the knife. They are always caught up in news related to plastic surgeries, extensive training before debut, and are almost always called "manufactured." But this should not be the norm.
Luckily, as time goes by, the K-Pop industry is gradully dealing with these kind of issues.
Here's the list of the K-Pop Idols who were criticized for their looks. However, they still kept on shining under the spotlight.
MAMAMOO's Hwasa
It is not a secret that MAMAMOO's precious maknae have gone through so many hardships ever since she debuted, and she has always been the talk of the town for being a great example when it comes to reaching your dreams and pursuing the things you love.
Breaking the status quo, she has proven that body goals is not always about being super-slim. On a MAMAMOO Seoul Concert held back in 2019, fans have been captivated by her speech as she performed her first-ever solo song TWIT, as she spoke about the life struggles she had to endure in order to reach what she has now.
She left a strong quote on her ment at the concert by saying, "If I don't fit into this generation's standard of beauty, then I will have to become a different standard." And that says a lot!
ITZY's Chaeryeong and IZ*ONE's Chaeyeon
From the struggles of starting as contestants for JYP's survival show SIXTEEN, the two showed how they continued to be in the spotlight for the love of performing. The Lee sisters have received so many criticisms from the netizens on their physical appearance because it does not conform to the ideal looks that people want.
Their fans and family would never stop defending them and would always support them for their determination when it comes to performing, which allowed the two to debut in such powerful groups for the past years.
The Lee Sisters are now recognized as powerful dance machines in their respected groups and have been receiving great responses on how they do well with every comeback and are always topping the charts.
BTS RM
Before becoming the most successful band in the world in today's charts, RM, also known as Kim Namjoon, has gotten so many hateful comments. Ever since his debut. the BTS member has received a lot of criticisms. From doubting whether he will be successful coming from a small company, to how his English skills are lacking, and his appearance as well.
As beauty standards in Korea are very stringent and particular as they say, there are also times that he has been criticized for this. However, ARMYs have always defended RM and have admired him for always speaking up about social issues and breaking the barriers through music. For RM, what others talk about does not matter anymore.
TWICE Jihyo
Another successful group that made it on top of the charts every comeback, TWICE, has a gorgeous leader that sparkles every performance. Park Jihyo was also body-shamed ever since her debut as a member of TWICE. It is also another social construct made by the South Korean industry that some have to lose weight and take care of their appearance.
But, in Jihyo's case, she has an average weight and proportioned body, but netizens seemed to take it way too far and keep been told the impression that she was always this "fat," but in reality, she wasn't. TWICE's leader will always smile so brightly for her fans no matter what they will say.
