The pics came from tiktok ( https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS5Ar4JeY/ )
I do not believe that K-pop idols undergo plastic surgery to the extent commonly assumed by the public. While non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures such as Botox, dermal fillers, and rhinoplasty may occur within the industry, these practices are consistent with broader trends in global entertainment. In contrast, highly invasive and permanent procedures such as mandibular jaw shaving are likely rare due to their medical risks, extended recovery periods, and incompatibility with the rigorous schedules maintained by idols.
Public speculation is often fueled by comparisons between pre-debut, non-edited photographs, frequently taken when idols are around 15 or 16 years old, and professionally edited images from their early twenties. Such comparisons often ignore the significant physical changes that can naturally occur over a four- to six-year period. Adolescence and early adulthood are marked by substantial facial maturation, changes in bone structure, fat distribution, and overall body composition, all of which can alter appearance independently of surgical intervention.
Additionally, professional styling, makeup techniques, lighting, post-production editing, dermatological care, orthodontic treatment, and weight fluctuation further complicate attempts to attribute visual differences solely to plastic surgery. Treating edited promotional images as direct evidence of surgical modification reflects a methodological flaw in these comparisons.
Ultimately, the tendency to assume extensive cosmetic surgery based on selective visual contrasts oversimplifies the multifactorial processes behind image construction in the K-pop industry. This perspective lacks sufficient empirical grounding and reinforces unrealistic beauty standards and disproportionate scrutiny toward idols, particularly those who debuted at a young age.