K-pop idols are often subjected to hard-to-achieve beauty standards regarding their appearances. While weight is likely the one that comes to mind most often, there is pressure for idols to have pale skin, even if it is not their natural skin tone.
This preference exists worldwide, and fans often oppose these beauty standards, praising idols who embrace their natural skin tones. Still, even fans of the idols have been criticized for lightening their skin color in photos.
11 Unwhitewashed Fantaken Photos Of NCT’s Haechan That Defy Toxic Beauty Standards
However, K-Pop idols are not the only people who fall victim to unexpected whitening.
Earlier this year, when actress Zendaya was in Korea promoting the release of Dune 2, there was backlash over Korean media apparently “white-washing” her in photos.
Recently, an unexpected person seems to have experienced white-washing, although they are white.
American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish was recently in Seoul, Korea, on a promotional tour for her new album Hit Me Hard And Soft.
During her time in the country, she was interviewed by BLACKPINK‘s Jennie for Spotify, entertaining fans with their interactions.
same billie pic.twitter.com/COsRVfg2mL
— jennie loops (@jnkloops) June 18, 2024
In addition to this this appearance, Billie also was interviewed by Zico for his KBS music talk show, The Seasons: Zico’s Artist. The pair attracted attention before the episode even aired, surprising netizens with their matching energy.
The program shared a teaser image of Billie before it aired and caught the attention of netizens for the wrong reason. In a now viral with with over 2.8 million views, an X user accused the show of “white-washing” Billie, even though she is already white.
they whitewashed billie i’m crying pic.twitter.com/Y4x2w9Yzm6
— amel ꪜ CHIHIRO (@eilishsuga) June 20, 2024
Comparing photos from the recording under the same stage lighting and the image, it does appear that the photo has some sort of filter on it.
Netizens were surprised that even Billie, someone who is already pale, was made to look even paler.
not even billie is safe from korea media standards pic.twitter.com/zrurm6uEx5 https://t.co/nBjk8OMCDv
— athena ✧ ೃ༄ (@chihirosdiner) June 20, 2024
whitewashing the most translucent person in existence is so crazy😭 https://t.co/xtFKuqIVIT
— mara (@idleavealone) June 20, 2024
how do you manage to whitewash an already pale white woman??????? https://t.co/o7OOuc3LeO
— abyss ⊬ is seeing tøp (@slowtownz_) June 22, 2024
