Kim Min-gyu (김민규), a member of the popular K-pop boy group SEVENTEEN, recently enlisted for mandatory military service. His pre-enlistment buzz cut unexpectedly brought renewed attention to long-circulating rumors regarding a hair transplant.
In an idol industry where visuals are highly emphasized, many celebrities have faced speculation about undergoing cosmetic procedures, including dental corrections, aesthetic treatments, and even plastic surgery. Kim's decision to sport an extremely short buzz cut before his enlistment has once again made his hairline a focal point of discussion.
When Kim first debuted, his hairline prominently featured a distinct 'widow's peak' (M-shaped hairline). However, several years into his career, his hairline gradually appeared straighter. Due to this noticeable change in appearance, rumors that he might have undergone a 'hair transplant' have circulated for years and never completely faded.
Before his official enlistment on September 10, Kim attended a public event already sporting the buzz cut. With his hair significantly shorter, his hairline was almost fully exposed. Some netizens observed subtle differences in hair texture and pattern in certain areas of his hairline, causing the dormant hair transplant rumors to resurface.
Some netizens even commented that the buzz cut photos seemed to reveal the 'starting points of hair grafts.' Others, after watching videos, exclaimed that even from a distance, faint traces of what appeared to be a hair transplant could be discerned on Kim's hairline.
However, some fans argued that it is difficult to definitively determine whether a hair transplant occurred based solely on photos or videos. They suggested that hairline changes could also be influenced by factors such as hairstyle, camera angles, and lighting.
Regardless of whether he underwent a hair transplant, Kim's visuals continue to receive unanimous praise from fans. One netizen jokingly commented, "Whether it's a hair transplant or not, Mingyu has always been handsome."
Kim officially enlisted on September 10 as planned, and fans are now shifting their focus to his upcoming military service.
