If you’re a K-pop fan, particularly of male idols, you probably hate hearing other people say, “But they all look alike” or “Aren’t they all surgically enhanced?”
Saying all K-pop idols look alike is slightly racist, in my opinion. They don’t look alike. For instance, K-pop fans like to say that Suga of BTS and Woozi of Seventeen are brothers. There is a resemblance, yes, but it’s easy to tell them apart.
And saying that everyone looks alike is an insult to diversity because while most idols are tall, slim and fair-skinned, there are those who look different. There are golden-skinned male idols like Kai of EXO and Mingyu of Seventeen. There are idols who are not tall and have not even breached the 5’5” mark. And, yes, some idols aren’t conventionally good-looking.
That doesn’t mean being dark-skinned or not as tall as the majority makes an idol less attractive. What I love about K-pop is that it breaks barriers in terms of looks. Who says men can’t wear makeup? If they do, should they wear natural-looking makeup, or can they go beyond what is normally considered acceptable in men?
K-pop idols aren’t the first men in the entertainment industry to wear makeup. David Bowie was doing that decades before the K-pop idols did. But for me, what makes K-pop beauty groundbreaking is that there are no rules when it comes to makeup and/or enhancements.
So here are some K-pop male idol looks that I find interesting. Please note that it’s not ranked and I am by no means an expert on K-pop and idols. I’m a beauty writer who appreciates beauty in all forms. This isn’t a list of the most good-looking idols. I wish I had room for more but due to space constraints, I have limited the number to 10.
Key of SHINee
@bumkeyk on Instagram
Key’s looks are always on point, whether he is walking his dogs or posing for a new album cover. His usual include well-groomed brows and flawless skin.
S.Coups of Seventeen
@saythename_17 on Instagram
So many tweets and articles have been devoted to the Seventeen leader’s signature juicy red lip look. I’ve seen S.Coups up close and, in my opinion, his best face feature (aside from the lips) are his soulful eyes.
Jimin of BTS
@BTS_twt on Twitter
I always love Jimin’s hairstyles, whether it’s a tousled platinum blonde, or brown and lightly curled. I have always thought Jimin’s face was fascinating and interesting. A British man reportedly spent over $75,000 in surgical and cosmetic enhancements to look like him.
Kai of EXO
@zkdlin on Instagram
Kai isn’t your typical K-pop idol because he has sun-kissed skin. He is very good-looking and has an undeniable appeal. He is always made-up and styled to look almost pretty.
Baekhyun of EXO
@baekhyunee_exo on Instagram
Baekhyun’s look is simple but striking. Makeup artists always emphasize his eyes, which are his best facial asset. He also has a face that is beautiful and mysterious.
Taeyong of NCT
@nct127 on Instagram
You can’t argue that Taeyong is one of the best-looking young idols right now. He has a chiseled but beautiful face and flawless skin. I read somewhere that his childhood dream was to become a firefighter. Can you imagine him as a firefighter?
GDragon of Big Bang
@xxxibgdrgn on Instagram
Love him or hate him, there is no argument about GDragon being an original both in fashion and beauty. He was the first K-pop idol I saw who wore brands like Vetements and Gosha Rubinsky. He even has his own fashion label, called Peaceminusone.
Jin of BTS
@bts_twt on Twitter
Of all the K-pop idols, Jin is one of those who have a full head of healthy hair considering that it’s colored/bleached/styled all the time. He also has a beautiful face and full lips. Seriously, I want to know what these guys are doing to their hair to make it always healthy.
Bambam of Got7
@bambam1a on Instagram
The Thai-born K-pop star is always well-groomed and well-dressed, whether he’s just in the recording studio or at dance practice, or when he performs onstage. His hair and makeup are always impeccable; it’s difficult to find fault with his grooming. Bambam’s looks are always bordering on the feminine, which suits him perfectly.
Kang Daniel of Wanna One
@wannaone.official on Instagram
Stylists and makeup artists like to keep Daniel’s look simple, as befitting his boy-next-door image. It’s usually just light makeup, his signature earrings and well-styled hair.
Editor’s note: Photos were culled from the artists’ respective social media accounts.