Andros
Kraken
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When 22-year-old K-pop star Yang Joon-il performs onstage, he slays.
"My love, Rebecca," he croons, sweat dripping from his asymmetrical hair to his chin, making its way to his bony clavicle. With his milky complexion and glowing skin, he looks beautiful – the epitome of a K-pop star.
But this is 1991, and South Korea has yet to evolve. This display of flamboyance, of outward beauty, is so offensive, audiences hiss and boo. Some even throw food at him. "He was hated by many for his unusual looks and songs," says an article by The Korea Times. His aesthetics and feminine mannerisms were so controversial, he claims, the government refused to renew his visa. Eventually, his career faded away.
Fast-forward almost three decades later, and it's almost unthinkable that Korean men like Yang would be treated with such vitriol. South Korea has since become the epicenter of beauty, and K-pop men are now synonymous with cosmetics.
a 2018 Global Data report found that three-quarters of Korean men receive beauty treatments at least once per week.
And that now includes guys who can fantasize about other K-pop male idols, thanks to K-pop’s first openly gay idol, Holland. The 24-year-old singer made international headlines when he came out, in 2018. For the solo singer, makeup allowed him to find the courage to become more of himself.
The members of BTS are a great example of being unabashed in wearing bright eye shadows, pastel-colored hairstyles, and taking care of their complexions. They prove that makeup only enhances one's confidence, which seems to be what masculinity is all about.
www.allure.com
"My love, Rebecca," he croons, sweat dripping from his asymmetrical hair to his chin, making its way to his bony clavicle. With his milky complexion and glowing skin, he looks beautiful – the epitome of a K-pop star.
But this is 1991, and South Korea has yet to evolve. This display of flamboyance, of outward beauty, is so offensive, audiences hiss and boo. Some even throw food at him. "He was hated by many for his unusual looks and songs," says an article by The Korea Times. His aesthetics and feminine mannerisms were so controversial, he claims, the government refused to renew his visa. Eventually, his career faded away.
Fast-forward almost three decades later, and it's almost unthinkable that Korean men like Yang would be treated with such vitriol. South Korea has since become the epicenter of beauty, and K-pop men are now synonymous with cosmetics.
a 2018 Global Data report found that three-quarters of Korean men receive beauty treatments at least once per week.
And that now includes guys who can fantasize about other K-pop male idols, thanks to K-pop’s first openly gay idol, Holland. The 24-year-old singer made international headlines when he came out, in 2018. For the solo singer, makeup allowed him to find the courage to become more of himself.
The members of BTS are a great example of being unabashed in wearing bright eye shadows, pastel-colored hairstyles, and taking care of their complexions. They prove that makeup only enhances one's confidence, which seems to be what masculinity is all about.
How K-Pop Changed the Meaning of Masculinity in South Korea
And opened up the beauty market to a whole new consumer base.
