ATEEZ's Yeosang Sparks Debate Over Lip Changes, Fans Defend Idol Amid Cosmetic Procedure Speculation

K-pop boy group ATEEZ recently made a powerful comeback with their new song "Bad," achieving impressive chart results. Member Choi San (최산)'s signature "chest-shaking dance" has also gone viral on social media, inspiring numerous celebrities to take on the challenge. Even veteran Korean actor Ma Dong-seok (마동석) joined in, posting a challenge video on Instagram and playfully calling himself "Ma San," which garnered significant attention.

However, as comeback promotions continued, member Kang Yeo-sang (강여상) unexpectedly became a focal point due to changes in his appearance. Some netizens observed that his lips appeared fuller than before, leading to suspicions of cosmetic procedures like hyaluronic acid lip fillers and sparking a debate among fans.

As ATEEZ actively promoted "Bad," netizens compared photos of Yeosang from late November 2024 with recent images, noting a clear increase in lip thickness. Since hyaluronic acid lip fillers enhance lip fullness through injections, with effects typically lasting around six months to one year, many believed his changes closely resembled the characteristics of post-filler lips.

Some netizens commented, "I've had hyaluronic acid fillers myself; I can tell at a glance, those are fresh post-filler lips." Another added, "Do we even need to guess? It's really obvious." However, many fans argued that the speculation was an overinterpretation, emphasizing that Yeosang's appearance changes were not due to cosmetic procedures but rather a result of successful weight loss and adjusted makeup.

One fan stated, "Can we please stop constantly discussing his lips? His lips naturally look thicker or thinner depending on his makeup. Plus, his face got smaller after he lost weight, so his lips naturally stand out more. Unless he admits it himself, don't just guess. And even if he did get lip fillers, there's nothing wrong with that."

Other fans pointed out that ATEEZ's makeup artists previously often used lip makeup to cover Yeosang's lower lip, so a change in makeup style now makes many mistakenly believe his lips have become thicker. Additionally, since he completed his dental alignment, he has become more confident and no longer frequently purses his lips as he used to, which also contributes to his lips appearing different.

Some fans also believe that anyone who has followed Yeosang for a long time would know that his facial features haven't significantly changed; it's merely different makeup techniques combined with his weight loss that create the illusion of an altered appearance.

While opinions on whether Yeosang underwent cosmetic procedures remain divided online, many netizens agree that regardless of whether he did, as an adult, any beauty treatment is a personal choice, and there's no need for excessive speculation or magnified discussion from the public.