K-Pop Idols Who Openly Admitted to Plastic Surgery! (2025 Update)

Plastic surgery rumors constantly circulate in the K-Pop scene, but not everything is being kept under wraps. Some fearless idols have come forward and confessed to having certain procedures done to meet tough beauty standards. Here are the idols who boldly spoke up about their experiences!

Table of Contents

• 1. Theo’s Candid Reveal: P1Harmony’s Transparent Approach
• 2. Park Seo Jin’s 100 Million Won Journey: A Shocking Price Tag
• 3. DAY6’s Dowoon – Botox for Health, Filler for Aesthetic
• 4. Kwanghee’s Quest for Acceptance: Turning Surgeries into Humor
• 5. Lee Hyori’s Botox and Laser Lifting: Challenging Ageism
• 6. Goo Hara’s Transparency: Small Enhancements for a Refresh
• 7. BTS’s RM – A Surgery for Health Over Beauty
• Conclusion: A New Wave of Candor in K-Pop

1. Theo’s Candid Reveal: P1Harmony’s Transparent Approach

The first on our list is P1Harmony’s Theo, who surprised fans when he disclosed his plastic surgery during a fan video call event. The conversation started casually but quickly became more detailed when Theo offered to answer fans’ questions about his procedure. Far from being guarded, he seemed comfortable sharing specifics, even how he was recovering.

According to Theo, the decision to go under the knife was entirely his own. He insisted there was no external pressure—he simply wanted to refine his appearance to match his personal aesthetic preferences. Fans were stunned by how matter-of-fact he was about it, praising him for shattering the secrecy that commonly clouds such topics in K-Pop. A fan commented, “We need idols who are honest about their choices, not ones who pretend perfection is natural.”

Ultimately, Theo’s candid admission challenged the stigma around cosmetic procedures. Rather than framing them as a sign of insecurity, he showed that sometimes these decisions stem from personal goals, free from any label pressure. Judging by how supportive the P1Harmony community has been, it appears K-Pop fans can wholeheartedly embrace an idol’s honesty.

2. Park Seo Jin’s 100 Million Won Journey: A Shocking Price Tag

Solo singer Park Seo Jin took openness to another level when he appeared on MBC’s Radio Star, revealing that he’d spent a staggering 100 million Korean Won—about 75,000 USD—on various cosmetic surgeries during his career. The sum alone left the show’s hosts speechless, but the real shock set in when he shared his before and after pictures, showing a near-unrecognizable transformation.

He admitted to having a nose job once and three separate eye enhancements, each time adjusting only by 1 millimeter to maintain a “natural look.” Yet the show’s hosts couldn’t hide their surprise, indicating the changes went beyond mere subtle tweaks. Furthermore, he revealed that the priciest aspects of his transformation were dental work and extensive facial injections. He also disclosed a hair transplant, prompting the show’s panel to commend him on being so blunt about everything.

When questioned about his motivations, Seo Jin stated that looking natural was paramount to him, which ironically demanded multiple minor procedures rather than one massive overhaul. Despite the hefty price tag, he insisted he had no regrets, satisfied with his current, more polished appearance. Fans hailed his honesty for “breaking the stigma” around idols possibly going under the knife but never admitting it.

3. DAY6’s Dowoon – Botox for Health, Filler for Aesthetic

DAY6’s Dowoon also made headlines when he nonchalantly disclosed details about procedures he’d undergone during a chat with fans on Dear U Bubble. He explained he had received Botox injections to address a protruding chin, not purely for cosmetic reasons but to fix teeth grinding issues—which can lead to headaches and jaw pain.

Fans were initially caught off guard by how casually he mentioned it, but many quickly applauded him for being forthright about an issue that affected his health. Then, Dowoon added another revelation: he’d gotten filler in his nose around DAY6’s debut era. According to him, the initial filler has long since dissolved, and he chose not to get a touch-up. Still, supporters praised how comfortable he was in his own skin, noting that “talking about cosmetic enhancements from so long ago shouldn’t be taboo if you’re at peace with yourself.”

4. Kwanghee’s Quest for Acceptance: Turning Surgeries into Humor

Kwanghee, previously a member of ZE:A, has long been known for embracing his plastic surgeries as part of his comedic persona. He once revealed how he struggled as a trainee for five years, and upon the group’s debut, he barely appeared in the music video. He believed it stemmed from the company’s concerns about his looks, prompting him to consider cosmetic procedures out of desperation for a better public image.

Rather than hiding it, Kwanghee addresses it lightheartedly, openly joking about it on variety shows, saying, “It’s better to talk about it in a fun way than to hide it out of fear.” Over the years, he’s become a leading figure in normalizing the topic of idols getting work done. He’s often seen in comedic bits, poking fun at his own face or exchanging experiences with other artists who’ve gone under the knife. Fans applaud him for destigmatizing cosmetic procedures by harnessing humor instead of secrecy.

5. Lee Hyori’s Botox and Laser Lifting: Challenging Ageism

K-pop legend Lee Hyori also weighed in on her experiences with cosmetic enhancements, but from a different angle: aging in the industry. During a candid YouTube talk, she said she had initially preferred a more natural look, but as she got older, brand deals and public scrutiny around her age pushed her to reevaluate. She’s admitted to receiving Botox injections around her eyes and trying laser lifting procedures to maintain a more “youthful” appearance.

Hyori acknowledges that the procedures were partly motivated by feeling it would be “impolite” to appear “imperfect” in high-profile photoshoots. However, she’s also openly critical of this reality—emphasizing how the industry undervalues older female artists, forcing them to cling to youthful looks. She’s faced some unexpected downsides, like having a hard time smiling naturally with tightened facial muscles, but remains vocal about the toll of ageism and the lengths women feel pressured to go to in entertainment.

6. Goo Hara’s Transparency: Small Enhancements for a Refresh

Another idol who once confronted the delicate subject of cosmetic work was the late KARA’s Goo Hara. During a variety show appearance, she openly admitted to minor interventions, emphasizing laser treatments and occasional Botox to keep her face “camera-ready.” She noted that right before KARA’s comeback with “CUPID,” she underwent a short round of injections and lifting procedures at a dermatology clinic.

Her frankness earned her respect from many viewers, who appreciated her nonchalant stance—especially at a time when numerous idols either dodged or flat-out denied possible enhancements. Hara also stressed that her physical fitness relied on consistent exercise like Pilates and horseback riding, not just cosmetic work. Her words served as a reminder that while some enhancements help idols meet camera standards, daily discipline in overall health remains equally vital.

7. BTS’s RM – A Surgery for Health Over Beauty

Cosmetic or corrective procedures aren’t always about aesthetics. In 2018, BTS’s RM underwent surgery to address breathing problems caused by a deviated septum. Though one could argue it’s not the conventional “plastic surgery,” the procedure still involved reconstruction of nasal structures. RM’s label, Big Hit Entertainment, casually announced he’d had the operation and was recovering fine. RM himself later posted on social media, reassuring ARMY that he was getting back to work soon and urging fans not to worry.

Fans lauded his openness in discussing a medical procedure, especially one linked to altering nasal shape. RM’s story underscores that while certain surgeries can shift an idol’s appearance, they sometimes stem from health needs rather than the chase for a particular aesthetic. The public’s warm reception highlighted the difference in perspective when an idol emphasizes practical health benefits over purely cosmetic motives.

Conclusion: A New Wave of Candor in K-Pop

From Theo’s casual revelation during a fan call to Lee Hyori’s reflections on aging, these idols aren’t just entertaining illusions of perfection—they’re openly discussing the reality of K-Pop beauty standards. Whether it’s a health necessity like Dowoon’s or RM’s procedure, a quest for confidence like Kwanghee’s, or something in between like Park Seo Jin’s multi-stage enhancements, each confession chips away at the longstanding taboo around cosmetic surgery in idol culture.

The sincerity displayed by these artists in 2025 might mark a turning point, signaling that we can anticipate more idols stepping forward. By normalizing such topics, they remind fans and the larger public that behind meticulously curated images lie real human experiences—replete with insecurities, choices, and even regrets. And with how supportive fans have been to idols like Theo or Dowoon, it seems the stigma is gradually eroding, replaced by empathy and acceptance.

How do you view these revelations? Are we witnessing a new wave of honesty in an industry often built on secrecy and mystique? Let us know in the comments, and as always, subscribe for more K-Pop deep dives!