Actress Lee Ji Ah, the star of "Thrice Married Woman," is not the first kdrama actress to be accused of having plastic surgery and she probably won't be the last.
The recent rumors started when her new show aired. Netizens commented that her eyes and lips looked different. As a result her expression seemed changed. And so did the way she pronounced things. But her agency denied the rumors.
"She has absolutely not had any procedures done," said her agency. "When we started filming, she was not feeling well so her face was puffy and bloated. She is slowly returning to her normal state and you will soon be able to see her at her best."
Netizens often speculate about whether stars had aesthetic procedures.
Only two months ago, actress Park Chae Rim was accused of having plastic surgery but her agency, Sidus HQ, said that such claims were ridiculous.
Those rumors began when the actress was seen on an episode of the KBS show "Stars Falling In Love With Travel." She looked younger. But her agency said that the actress' face was untouched.
"She did not get plastic surgery," said the Sidus representative of the "All About Eve" and "Oh My Lady" star. The show in question was aired in Japan and China first so the actress naturally looked different by the time it aired in Korea.
Aesthetic procedures have become so popular in Korea that its estimated one in five women has had some work done. Popular procedures include getting double eyelids and having your jawbone altered so it is closer to a v-shape.
And yet many stars that are accused of having work done, say that it's just not so. Among these stars are Han Ga In and Jang Dong Gun. Korean plastic surgeons are often asked for a "Han Ga In nose," so people assume she had hers fixed. Pictures of the "Moon Embracing the Sun" star at an earlier age show her nose has not changed and her younger brother Jang Seo Jin has a similar nose.
Jang Dong Gun, who appeared in "A Gentleman's Dignity," has also been accused of having work done but earlier photos show a similar face.
"People always think I had plastic surgery, especially on my nose," said the actor. "I've heard it so many times."
Netizens did not seem convinced by the statement issued by Lee Ji Ah's agency. While some could believe that the actress' poor health caused her face to swell up a few did not believe that it could have such a drastic effect.
"What explains her unnatural pronunciation and awkward facial expressions," one netizen asked.
Should it be anyone's business if an actress has plastic surgery? Or are netizens merely upset because they don't believe the agency is being honest? What do you think? Let us know.
