In K-pop, where talent and visuals often go hand in hand, female idols are constantly under the microscope. This time, the conversation has landed on Hearts2Hearts, SM Entertainment’s newest girl group, even before they’ve officially debuted.
A viral post on the Korean forum Pann has reignited the debate, with some netizens accusing the members of undergoing plastic surgery. The post gained traction, with claims that the group’s visuals look “too SM-style,” a familiar argument that’s followed SM’s girl groups for years.
The SM Entertainment Beauty Standard
From Girls’ Generation to Red Velvet and aespa, every generation of SM’s female artists has faced similar scrutiny. Some fans argue this is because SM has a signature visual aesthetic, while others believe it’s an unfair bias targeting the company’s girl groups.
Despite these allegations, many fans have defended the Hearts2Hearts members, emphasizing that they look naturally beautiful. Some netizens pointed out how these accusations seem to follow SM trainees, even when they later debut under different agencies—suggesting the issue might not be about surgery at all, but rather a deeply ingrained stereotype.
A Never-Ending Cycle?
Comments from fans and neutral netizens highlight exhaustion over the constant fixation on female idols’ appearances.
📌 “They don’t even look like they got surgery, so why do people keep saying that?”
📌 “It’s always SM girl groups. Even back in the Girls’ Generation days, people were making the same comments.”
While K-pop continues to evolve, discussions like this prove that beauty standards in the industry remain a hot topic. Hearts2Hearts hasn’t even stepped onto the stage yet, but they’re already facing the same cycle of judgment. The question is: when will it stop?
