South Korean entertainment industry has often been under scrutiny for its expectations regarding physical appearance, and K-pop idol Kyuhyun is no exception to the pressures. In a recent interview, the artist revealed how his former agency, SM Entertainment, pushed him into undergoing plastic surgery, only for him to face criticism as a “cosmetic monster” by netizens.
Cho Kyunhyun, a renowned South Korean artist known for his music career and for venturing into acting, has made significant strides in both fields. However, not many are aware that his appearance underwent a drastic transformation during his journey to stardom.
In his high school days, Kyunhyun bore a different facial structure and did not have double eyelids. Reflecting on his past, he opened up about the influence of his former agency, SM Entertainment, in his decision to undergo plastic surgery.
During an appearance on the variety show Dolsing Fourmen, which explores the experiences of four divorced men discussing topics like love and life, Kyuhyun made a startling revelation. He confessed, “You may not believe me, but at the time, I didn’t have double eyelids. I got them after I debuted because the label forced me to.”
The K-pop idol went on to share his frustration, saying, “(Netizens) call me a cosmetic monster just because I got my eyes done. To make matters worse, my double eyelids often come undone. I was squinting in my High School photo that people use when mentioning my past. There are other normal photos, but they seem to only use that one.”
While Kyuhyun’s experience sheds light on the challenges faced by artists in the industry, there are exceptions like Cha Eun Woo, who is often hailed as the ‘face genius’ of South Korea.
In the same interview, when asked about his marriage plans, the Super Junior fame responded with humor, stating, “My international age is 35, and I think it would be good to get married before turning 40. I do want to get married.”
Kyuhyun’s revelation raises important questions about the entertainment industry’s expectations regarding physical appearance and the impact it has on artists. It serves as a reminder that behind the glitz and glamour, many artists face immense pressure to conform to certain beauty standards.
