Netizens Break Down SM’s Alleged Girl Group Strategy: Makeup vs. Surgery Debate
A viral post titled “Wow, This SM Girl Group Analysis Is So Accurate LOL” is sparking heated discussion on Korean forum Pann, racking up over 35,000 views. The post shares a comment accusing SM Entertainment of using a calculated strategy to manipulate public perception regarding its female idols’ appearances.
According to the top comment, which has drawn significant attention:
“Even though they do camera tests during the trainee days, there’s a limit to how much you can tell. So after debut, they make the idols appear on various shows to see how they actually look on screen. Then, after confirming what needs to be fixed, they go ahead with procedures or plastic surgery.
_ And to avoid rumors about getting work done, they change the makeup from whatever ‘wistful’ style they were using to one that really suits them._
_ That way, fangirls automatically defend them by saying, ‘It’s just different styling, not surgery.’ LOL.”_
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The original poster added their own commentary, expressing frustration at how this tactic affects young idols:
“I’m not trying to attack anyone or spread fake news—don’t come at me, fanbases. But I really think this is just how SM runs their viral game. They let young, still-developing idols get torn apart online, and then claim the obvious cosmetic procedures were just ‘styling differences.’ Shocking, honestly.”
The post has ignited intense debate across fan communities. While some netizens agreed with the analysis, calling it a “harsh reality of the industry,” others accused the poster of spreading harmful assumptions about female idols’ appearances and undermining their efforts.
Comments on Pann:
- Even if that’s true, most idols look different a few years after debut anyway. Why is it always SM girl groups getting dragged? It’s so obvious you’re just insecure. LOL.
- Trying to sound insightful like that… To others, you just look like someone still obsessively stuck in idol fandoms—a washed-up fangirl, basically.
- Sorry, but is there even a celebrity who hasn’t had procedures done? It’s hilarious how you only go after SM girl groups like they’re the only ones. The idols you stan have probably all had work done too. You’re clearly just jealous of SM girl idols—it’s like they’re a permanent inferiority trigger for people like you. No wonder Nate Pann is known as the place that drove Sulli to her death. Pathetic how y’all never stop going after SM girls.
- People like the OP would’ve accused Kim Tae-hee or Han Ga-in of getting surgery too if they had debuted as idols instead of actresses. Whether SM girl group members had surgery or not, it’s not even a scandal. But you act like some kind of detective interrogating a criminal, veins popping, demanding they “just admit it already”—it’s ridiculous LOL.
- You admit camera tests before debut have limits, yet you never consider that maybe the styling direction could’ve just been off? You pretend to be all logical, but you’ve clearly already decided on the conclusion and are just forcing everything to fit that narrative. LOL.
This latest controversy underscores ongoing tensions between fans, entertainment agencies, and the broader public over idol image management, and the blurry lines between authenticity, styling, and industry-driven enhancements in the K-pop spotlight.
