Netizens Criticize Double Standards in K-pop Visual Standards: Being a Male Idol Seems Too Easy?

A post titled “Being a Male Idol Seems Too Easy” has gone viral on the popular Korean forum Pann, sparking intense online debate over persistent gender-based double standards in the K-pop industry. With over 43,000 views, the post has quickly become a hot topic among netizens and K-pop fans. The post also included a series of comparison images featuring male and female idols, further fueling the discussion in the comments.

The original poster (OP) wrote:

“I always feel this way, but guys who look like this still get fiercely defended by male idol stans, while beautiful female idols are constantly accused of plastic surgery or told they look fake. It’s honestly bizarre.”

This statement hit a nerve with many online users who resonated with the frustration, pointing out how male idols often receive generous praise, even if they don’t meet the same visual standards expected of female idols.

The post criticizes how male idols are often praised for charm or stage presence regardless of looks, while female idols are frequently picked apart for every detail, from makeup to facial features. Many commenters agreed that the K-pop industry, and its surrounding fan culture, holds female idols to much stricter beauty standards.

Comments on Pann:

1. Just look at BIGBANG, people worshipped them even though they weren’t good-looking. LOL.
2. Honestly, I’m a boy group fan too, but ever since the 4th generation started, the visuals have seriously gone downhill… There’s barely anyone worth stanning, so I still only follow 3rd to 3.5 generation idols. Sigh, lol.
3. It’s not just about visuals or the idol scene, life in general is just easier for men. No matter what they do wrong, male idols always have their delulu fangirls saying “My baby’s innocent, don’t hurt him” and jumping in to protect them. (And it’s like that in real life too, not just with idols lol.) Meanwhile, when a female idol slips up even once, both men and other women are quick to drag her. And all that talk about “women’s rights” is honestly just people shouting for their own rights—not to protect all women, especially not ones prettier than them, lol. This isn’t just about idols, it’s society itself. Thanks to brainless male stans, life’s just way harsher for women, period.
4. I’m honestly shocked at how rough some of these male idols look… Like, what is going on?
5. Wait… that pic above, is that seriously an idol? For real??

This post has reignited broader conversations about how fandom culture in K-pop continues to reflect deeper societal biases. While discussions around appearance and performance are common for both genders, the harsher lens applied to female idols has long been a point of contention.