Body hair is part of our biological fabric as humans—needless to say, it's completely normal. Underarm hair though is often a polarizing topic, with prevailing beauty standards expecting women to shave or wax theirs in favor of a "cleaner" image.
In more contemporary times, it's become noticeable how the Korean entertainment sphere actually expects such from all genders. It's something a regular K-pop fan would probably ponder about—why do male K-pop idols opt to remove their underarm hair?
Such curiosity stems from the fact that this standard isn't upheld in other cultures. In Western industries (and even here in the Philippines), male performers often let their armpit hairs grow out while their female counterparts are seldomly seen retaining any strands. While there could be a myriad of reasons that could explain this, there are three plausible causes worth zoning in on.
Why Male K-Pop Idols Shave or Wax Their Underarms
To Keep a "Youthful Image"
Part of an idol's job description is to uphold a "youthful" and "innocent" appearance for their fans. K-pop caters to a relatively younger demographic, and since an "idol" is meant to be looked up to, such people take extra steps to maintain their looks. Hair, especially in areas such as the underarms, indicates aging, which would go against the imagery they aim to present.
Leading entertainment companies such as SM Entertainment, HYBE Corporation, and JYP Entertainment are reported to make removing all body hair mandatory. It's assumed that an idol can forego such a mandate when they get older and are less active in the scene. Super Junior's Siwon and BIG BANG's G-Dragon, to name two examples, have sported and flaunted beards in the past.
For Hygiene Purposes
Given their line of work, K-pop idols profusely sweat. Hair is a "collecting site" of sweat, and in turn, bacteria, which results in an unpleasant odor for some individuals. While hair itself does not produce an odor of its own, removing it significantly lessens the chances of having any smell develop. The absence of any strands also helps in the effectiveness of deodorants or antiperspirants.
Additionally, most Koreans are genetically built to not produce body odor. A study by The Korea Times states that most Koreans are born without the ABC11 gene, which is the main determinant of body odor. East Asians, as a whole, are also known not to produce as much hair as other ethnicities.
Personal Preference
Most of the time, shaving (or waxing) one's body hair boils down to personal preference. In an interview, Bang Chan of STRAY KIDS said that he actually prefers waxing his underarms rather than shaving as it helps in decreasing hair regrowth. He added that he generally feels more comfortable without any hair on his armpits.
Of course, there are also those who would prefer to let their body hair flourish. One example is Key of SHINee, who shared his thoughts on removing his underarm hair for work. "It’s okay to have short hair [on your underarms], but having none is a problem. I don’t want to look like a person who didn’t have puberty," he was quoted saying.
Taeyang of BIG BANG had similar sentiments, questioning how and why such practice became a "trend" among his fellow idols. "Back then, unshaved armpits were okay. [You were seen] like a tough guy," he expressed.
What do you think of this K-pop "trend"? Let us know in the comments!
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
