So, can we all agree that if you’re a K-Pop idol, there is no way you can be conceived as ugly? Even without makeup? Like, I’m so sorry but my potato looking self can not fathom most of these idols to be anything but absolutely gorgeous. Because that’s kind of the point. K-Pop idols are meant to be this flawless, beautiful ideal that is above the rest, right?
Which is why when I got this prompt to do K-Pop idols that look different without makeup, I laughed. Because as it turns out, most of my favorite idols are those that stray away from traditional Korean beauty standards. Like, look me dead in the eye and say that you think CL from 2NE1 is ‘ugly’. Like, the CL. I dare you. Because that means the entire idea of a beauty standard is insane in the first place.
All K-Pop idols are visually appealing in their own ways, but I love the ones that truly look unique, even without makeup. I already named CL but there are so many K-Pop idols that don’t fit the mold, especially when they aren’t wearing makeup, letting their natural beauty shine through. So today, let’s rank the top 10 K-Pop Idols who look different without makeup, in another round of Get Ranked!
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10. Umji – VIVIZ
Bros, I was in shambles when G-Friend disbanded. Like, you’re telling me the group came out with a masterpiece like MAGO as their final song? Insanity. But what I feared even more was never getting to see Umji, the maknae, perform again.
Luckily, this beauty redebuted in VIVIZ, letting us see her soft moon-face and adorable laugh lines once more, when she’s just chilling behind the scenes. And she seems to be more comfortable than ever!
9. Ni-Ki – Enhypen
I’m a fairly casual Enhypen fan, but I get the appeal. Drunk-Dazed is actually one of my favorite K-Pop songs in general, and I think Ni-Ki killed it in the ‘dark vampire’ concept. Then again, the Japanese born idol always looks very distinctive to me.
Hell, I think I prefer him without makeup, because Korean makeup artists always do his foundation too light, covering up his natural skin tone which is so flushed and healthy. With his feline eyes and dark brows, Ni-Ki is super captivating!
8. Solar – MAMAMOO
What does MAMAMOO like doing most? Wrecking everyone’s perceptions, that’s what. And boy, does my girl Solar do it well. Solar is interesting because she looks very South East Asian, despite being full Korean. It’s like you don’t expect those powerhouse vocals to come from someone who looks like a small Goddess, you know?
And without makeup, Solar just looks so much younger. Like, if you told me she was a new idol just debuting, I’d fully believe you. But nope, she has been in the game for a decade now. No wonder she got cast as the exotic beauty, Mata Hari, for the musical!
7. Jeongyeon – TWICE
Jeongyeon is my bias in TWICE so, obviously, I’m not going to be impartial here. But I was just as shocked as JYP when I first saw her with her cute short hair and beautiful vocals.
She went on a bit of a hiatus due to some health issues around 2020, but came back swinging. Jeongyeon’s curvaceous body and petite facial features make her look like some 1950’s Pin-up dream, but even without makeup she is just as pretty.
6. Soyeon – (G)I-dle
What can I say, I love me a Rap Goddess. And Soyeon has been on top for a while now, with a confidence I’ve rarely seen before. Which is why I was so surprised that she considered herself ‘ugly’, even referring to herself as such on Unpretty Rapstar because she felt like she wasn’t ‘idol pretty’.
But her smoky eyes and diminutive height make her so precious, especially considering she’s actually a beast she is when it comes to creating and producing music. Bare-faced Soyeon and idol-queen Soyeon are almost two different people, but both are so charismatic.
5. Chaeryong – Itzy
Chaeryong was called a ‘visual hole’ when she debuted in Itzy but that was such a lie. Of course all the members in Itzy are gorgeous, but there is something about Chaeryong that is so girl-next-door, especially when she isn’t wearing makeup.
Her skin is near flawless so I don’t even know why she bothers. My girl can pop up bare-faced during dance practice and everyone would be floored anyways.
4. Hwasa – MAMAMOO
MAMAMOO started out as a small group from a smaller company, but their talents can not be denied, especially when it comes to Hwasa. Hwasa defies everything a K-Pop Idol should be and that’s why she’s a trailblazer in the industry.
She looks so naturally gorgeous outside of makeup, with her glowing tan skin and unique facial features. But it’s her distinctive, down-to-earth personality that really gets you, especially because in Idol mode, she’s an absolute diva!
3. G-Dragon – BigBang
I mean, it’s G-Dragon. Need I say more? G-Dragon became K-Pop royalty back in the day, thanks to his fashion forward aesthetic and general work with his group, BigBang.
But when you strip him of all the glitz and glamor of being a K-Pop King, he looks so much more accessible, almost sweet. It’s no wonder that so many male juniors in the industry look up to G-Dragon, not only for his achievements but also his humble nature.
2. Felix – Stray Kidz
I think Stray Kidz will always hold a special place in my heart for being that boy group that I got into during the Quarantine years. And like, each one of the members is so, so talented.
But really, I’d be lying if I said that it wasn’t Felix that pulled me in. Felix is known for his low baritone and Aussie humor, but when it came out that he had freckles outside of makeup? Fangirls everywhere were swooning. The man looks like he belongs in Pixie Hollow, he’s so cute!
1. CL – 2NE1
When I tell you I have been a BlackJack for the past 14 years? I am not joking. 2NE1 was the first K-Pop group I ever got into and I never stopped hoping for the members to go on and do more. Especially CL, who has been the it girl of K-Pop since before I can remember.
CL’s monolids and beauty marks are so iconic, especially considering the ‘cat eye’ appearance that is viral now. I mean, her style of makeup was the look for 2010 K-pop! YG tried to bring her down, but there’s a reason she’s still the standard for most female K-Pop rappers!
I hate boiling people down to their looks, so know that each person on this list is impeccable in their performing abilities as well. But yeah, what K-Pop artists do you think look unique or different without makeup? Sound off below!
What do you think?
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