Hani’s EXID has resurfaced in the spotlight, but not without stirring up intense online chatter. Appearing on the recent episode of MBN’s “Dr. Oh’s Stay”, the K-pop idol’s changed facial appearance and heartfelt confessions have netizens speculating plastic surgery.
During the broadcast, Hani surprised both viewers and fellow participants with her natural, makeup-free look and noticeably different appearance, prompting hosts Ko So-young and Yoo Se-yoon to remarked, “We’ve never seen this side of her before.”
Then, when Hani introduced herself saying, “I’m originally a singer, a celebrity,” other cast members were visibly shocked, with Hani joking, “Does my face look different from what you expected?”
On this day, Hani also openly shared her struggles with constantly being self-conscious, saying, “I tend to worry too much about how others see me. I realized recently that a lot of things in my life don’t go the way I want. I used to think I could control everything, but now I’m learning to let go.”
Many interpreted this as a subtle reference to the postponement of her wedding to psychiatrist Yang Jae-woong, following a tragic incident at his hospital where a patient died under controversial circumstances. The bereaved family filed a criminal complaint against the hospital, while Yang Jae-woong was sued along with hospital staff for professional negligence resulting in death, leading to his withdrawal from broadcast appearances.
Online reactions to Hani’s appearance were mixed, with comments such as, “Something about her face seems to have changed”, “Her forehead looks a bit unnatural,” “I didn’t recognize her at first”. Meanwhile, some commented on Hani’s mood, saying, “It feels like she had a really hard time” and “She seems to have lost her spark.” However, fans continued to praise her defined features, including her sharp nose, petite face, and symmetrical facial structure, which have been the hallmarks of Hani’s visuals since her EXID debut.
On the other hand, Hani also reflected on her early fame, sharing, “I started out as a celebrity early, so after my contract ended, I realized how little I knew about the world. I was like a frog in a well. The pressure made me feel depressed, and I even thought about escaping it all. I often heard people ask me why I wanted to go down such a thorny path”
Her emotional honesty drew both empathy and concern, especially considering the heavy burden she’s faced privately.