Pale, glowing skin may not be all K-pop fans crave, as several Unwhitewashed pictures of kpop idols have gone viral and received a lot of likes.
In the world of Kpop, visuals play a massive role. From polished music video to picture-perfect performance, idols are often presented through a lens of flawless beauty, quite literally. But there’s a growing conversation among fans asking: can we start appreciating idols as they are, without heavy whitewashing filters, brightening edits, or ghostly makeup?
Whitewashing in Kpop refers to the practice of excessively editing an idol’s appearance, especially their skin tone to make them appear paler. Whether it’s trough promotional photos, fansites, or music show brodcasts, the trend often robs idols of their natural skin tone. This stems from longstanding beauty standards in East Asia that equate paleness with purity, elegance, and refinement.
But fans today are becoming more critical of this approach. They’re calling for more appreciation of idol’s real appearance, especially those with golden, tanned, or naturally darker complexions.
Unwhitewashed photos of kpop idols?
A recent post on Reddit went viral for all right reasons, A fan posed the question:
“Can y’all share Unwhitewashed pictures of kpop idols? All these overly ghost-like pale filter and makeup just ruins their natural beauty.”
the responses were passionate and full of love. Let’s spotligt some of the most praised idols for their stunning, unedited beauty:
1 Kai (EXO)
Often referred to as one of the most charismatic idols of 3rd gen, Kai is known for his deep complexion and sun-kissed glow. fans adore his unedited fan photos, particularly from outdoor performances, which showcase his golden skin and unmatched stage aura.
2 Mingyu (SEVENTEEN)
SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu frequently appears in fan conversation about naturally tan idols. One comment read, “One of my favorite pictures of mingyu no filter, no edit, just him.” His clear skin and bronze undertone have become a signature trait fans deeply appreciate.
3 Jihyo (Twice)
Jihyo’s confident presence and healthy tan skin have made her a visual standout. A fan excitedly commented with her unedited picture, saying simply: “Jihyo!!” Her natural glow and lack of excessive bringhtening only enhance her real’world beauty.
4 V BTS
Also known as Taehyung, V has often been praised for embracing his natural tone, especially during tropical or summer concept photoshoots. His fans say, “He would have turned the honeymoon golden with his dimple smile and golden skin in a minute.”
