Taeyeon's Five-Year-Old Post on Female Appearance Standards Resurfaces, Resonating With Netizens: 'Girls Get Criticized No Matter What'

The South Korean entertainment industry has long been criticized for its stringent and often contradictory beauty standards, with female idols, in particular, frequently facing scrutiny over their bodies, fashion, and overall appearance. While many are aware of this issue, few dare to openly challenge it. Recently, a social media post by Girls' Generation (소녀시대) member Kim Tae-yeon (김태연), known professionally as Taeyeon, from five years ago, fiercely criticizing these female appearance standards, has resurfaced, igniting heated discussions among netizens.

The post was originally published in 2021 when Taeyeon made her comeback with the single “Weekend.” During that period, she received numerous negative comments from netizens regarding her appearance and physique. Faced with an onslaught of criticism, she took the unusual step of directly responding on social media.

Taeyeon wrote, “No matter what you do, someone will criticize you anyway, so just live your life your own way.” She then listed absurd scenarios where women are attacked regardless of their actions: “If you’re fat, they say you’re fat; if you’re thin, they say you look sick. If you wear loose clothes, some say you look like a man; if you wear tight clothes, they complain you’re dressed too revealingly.”

“If you eat a lot, you’re called a pig; if you eat little, they say you’re too picky. If you like luxury brands, they call you vain; if you choose affordable brands, they complain you have no taste.” Taeyeon concluded by reiterating, “Since you’ll be criticized no matter what you do, just live your life your own way.”