The reason why K-pop idols have fair skin
When we look at photos of K-pop idols, one of the first things that comes to mind is, ‘Why are their faces so fair?’ To answer this question, we need to look into Asian culture.
When walking through the streets of Tokyo, you’ll see many women carrying umbrellas and wearing gloves on warm, sunny days. In China, you can see women wearing masks at the beach. If you live in Europe or in the US, this might seem strange and difficult to understand. In these regions, people often travel to sunny countries on holidays, tanning as much as possible. But why do people in Korea or Japan spend significant amounts to maintain fair skin?
Why do K-pop idols have fair skin?
K-pop idols have fair skin because fair skin is a status symbol in Asia. In most Asian countries, tanned skin indicates a person spends time outdoors and does hard labor. Pale skin, on the other hand, suggests that the person doesn’t need to work hard. The lighter the skin, the higher the socioeconomic status.
Would you risk your health for fair skin?
In Singapore, beauty clinics are visited by many prominent clients, including beauty queens, models, and wealthy people who want to lighten their skin. The desire for fair skin is so strong that clients don’t care how much the procedure costs. Some clients spend a fortune on these operations.
Numerous techniques exist for skin lightening, and some are even illegal in Singapore. As a result, Singapore’s health system is very cautious and closely monitors beauty clinics. One of these methods, for example, is the injection or even intravenous administration of vitamin C or the antioxidant glutathione. The effects of both are unproven, and there are potential risks. Therefore, people in Singapore travel to the Philippines or Indonesia, where these treatments are permitted.
