International Netizens Are Shocked To Find Out How Different Korean TikTok Automatically Makes People Look
If you’re on K-Pop TikTok, you probably scroll through videos every day of idols and people that appear “perfect.”
Whether they are idols or not, it seems like almost everyone in Korea has a clear complexion and is naturally thin. Some might assume that Korean skincare and diet are just that much better than the rest of the world. While the country does have great cuisine and beauty products, it’s much more than just that.
The truth is nothing we see online is 100% real. Everything is filtered to show the best version of themselves, whether they intend to or not.
TikToker AVA (@glowwithava) shared a video explaining the main difference between the American and Korean versions of the app. She showed that she had a phone bought in the United States and one from South Korea.
Opening the apps, there was an obvious difference immediately. AVA’s appearance changed drastically from one to the next.
Her features altered quite a bit. Despite turning the filter off on both phones, she appeared with lighter and clearer skin and a smaller face. Even her eyes and lips looked different.
International netizens were shocked to see not just the stark difference but that Korean users couldn’t even have the freedom to choose if they wanted the filter or not. Many agreed that the automatic filter given by the app would have a negative impact on one’s self-image, knowing that they could never attain that level of beauty standard in real life.
South Korea is not the only country, however, with this problem. Another user commented that they realized a similar issue when they purchased their phone in Japan.
Alexa Niwata recently shared a TikTok, talking about the differences between her original American phone to her Japanese phone. She is an American currently modeling in Japan. She explained that her TikTok wouldn’t let her record anything without a beauty filter with the Japanese SIM card.
@alexniwata Send help 🥲 #japan #japanlife #japantiktok #japanthings #japanese #iphone #beautyfilter #help #おすすめ #tokyo #fyp #travel
Some users actually love the automatic beauty filter provided by these countries. There’s no denying that it is impressive how often the filters can stay on a person even when they do TikTok dance trends.
@kassieyeung @porojin completely inspired me to make this #korea #seoul #koreantiktok #추천 #추천떠라 #filter #beautyfilter #douyin #catfish
Still, there is a much deeper issue underneath all of this about the unattainable beauty standards set on by Korean society. It is damaging not just to average citizens but even to celebrities, such as actors and idols. For example, fans of Stray Kids have called out JYP Entertainment for regularly photoshopping the members, saying that they won’t ever be able to learn how to love their natural features if they think the photoshopped version of themselves is what they are supposed to look like.
@knewswithfemi From, someone who doesn’t fit a single beauty standard 💙 #straykids #bangchan #kpop #kpoper #kpopfyp #skzstay #skz #straykidsstay #straykidsedit
Even CLC‘s Sorn has talked about how different filters, especially when raised to their maximum setting, can cause people to look so different. The worst yet is when the filter does happen to come off while dancing!
@sssorn_chonnasorn Just wanted to share my opinion to the community…
Recently, another TikTok video went viral over a similar issue as it showcased South Korea’s strict expectations of beauty. Read about it below:
A TikTok Video Goes Viral After Showcasing Korea’s Strict Expectations On Beauty
Watch AVA’s TikTok below:
@glowwithava crazy how different you can look with the beauty filters in Korea!! another reason not to trust the internet 😅 #instagramvsreality #filters
