Seoul, South Korea – In a candid and illuminating segment on Channel A’s Beauty Clinic Touch Me broadcast on August 28, former LABOUM member Yulhee, born in 1997, unveiled the profound and often unexpected changes her skin and facial structure have undergone following two pregnancies, the birth of three children, and years of both self-neglect and unknowingly harmful beauty practices. Her appearance as the youngest guest in the program’s history drew significant attention, offering a relatable narrative for many who grapple with the demands of family life impacting personal well-being. The episode provided an in-depth examination of her skin health, revealing concerns that even Yulhee herself had not fully recognized, ultimately culminating in a significant aesthetic transformation.
Yulhee’s Journey: From Idol Stardom to Motherhood
Yulhee, whose full name is Kim Yul-hee, first rose to prominence as a member of the K-pop girl group LABOUM. Debuting in 2014 under NH Media and Nega Network, the group gained recognition for their vibrant concepts and catchy tracks such as "AALOW AALOW," "Journey to Atlantis," and "Hwi hwi." Yulhee, known for her energetic stage presence and youthful visuals, was an active member during a period of intense competition within the K-pop industry. Her idol career demanded rigorous training, strict diets, and a meticulously managed public image, placing her under constant scrutiny regarding her appearance. This foundational period ingrained a certain standard of beauty and self-presentation that would later contrast sharply with the realities of her post-idol life.
In 2017, Yulhee announced her departure from LABOUM, followed by the surprising revelation of her relationship with FTISLAND member Choi Minhwan. Their public announcement in early 2018 of marriage and impending parenthood made headlines, marking a significant deviation from the typical idol career path which often discourages public relationships and early marriage. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Jae-yul, in May 2018, and subsequently twin daughters, Ah-yoon and Ah-rin, in February 2020. Their family life, particularly the challenges and joys of raising three young children, was prominently featured on the popular KBS reality show Mr. House Husband, offering viewers an intimate look into their daily routines. This period, characterized by the intense demands of caring for a growing family, is what Yulhee cites as the primary reason for her diminished focus on personal self-care.
The immense responsibilities of motherhood, especially with three young children, often lead to mothers inadvertently sidelining their own needs. Yulhee’s candid admission on Beauty Clinic Touch Me resonated with countless parents who prioritize their children’s well-being above their own, often sacrificing sleep, proper nutrition, and personal grooming time. This collective experience forms a crucial backdrop to understanding the state of her skin and facial health that prompted her appearance on the show. In late 2023, Yulhee and Choi Minhwan announced their divorce, further highlighting a period of significant personal transition and change in her life.
Unveiling Hidden Concerns: The Beauty Clinic Touch Me Examination
Beauty Clinic Touch Me is renowned for its format of inviting celebrities and public figures to undergo comprehensive beauty evaluations, often uncovering previously undiagnosed issues and providing expert solutions. Yulhee’s status as the youngest guest underscored the program’s aim to demonstrate that beauty concerns are not exclusive to older demographics, and that lifestyle factors can rapidly accelerate skin aging and other issues regardless of age.
During the program, Yulhee initially confessed to habits that are common among busy individuals but detrimental to skin health: consuming late-night meals and occasionally falling asleep without removing her makeup. She admitted that her relatively young age had led her to a false sense of security, believing she was immune to significant skincare concerns. However, once her face was thoroughly cleansed and examined bare-faced under specialized equipment, the show’s hosts and a panel of beauty experts, including renowned specialist Kim Hyun Ok, uncovered a range of issues far beyond typical surface-level problems.
Skin Inflammation and Barrier Damage:
The most significant finding regarding Yulhee’s skin was widespread inflammation. Expert Kim Hyun Ok explained that inflammation is a foundational issue that can compromise the very structure of the skin. When key components like collagen (responsible for firmness), elastin (for elasticity), and hyaluronic acid (for hydration) are damaged due to inflammatory processes, the skin’s integrity deteriorates. This damage manifests through a cascade of visible concerns, including chronic dryness, persistent redness, a noticeable loss of elasticity, and the premature appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Ironically, while Yulhee had confessed to neglecting makeup removal, one of her biggest problems stemmed not from insufficient cleansing, but from an aggressive, overzealous routine. She revealed a meticulous, three-step cleansing process that she would sometimes perform for approximately 30 minutes. This extensive and prolonged washing, while seemingly aimed at achieving extreme cleanliness, was actually stripping her skin of its natural protective barrier. The experts emphasized that the skin’s barrier is a delicate lipid layer crucial for retaining moisture and defending against environmental aggressors. Repeatedly scrubbing and over-cleansing disrupts this barrier, leading to increased sensitivity, dehydration, and critically, heightened inflammation. Yulhee expressed visible surprise, realizing that a habit she believed was beneficial for maintaining "clean" skin was, in fact, exacerbating her underlying irritation and contributing to her skin’s compromised state. This served as a vital educational moment for viewers, highlighting the importance of a balanced and gentle approach to skincare.
Facial Asymmetry and Muscle Development:
Beyond her skin, the experts also identified a subtle yet significant issue affecting Yulhee’s facial structure. Through detailed observation and analysis, it was revealed that Yulhee had an unconscious habit of clenching her teeth, particularly during physical activities like exercise. This chronic, often involuntary, habit is medically known as bruxism. While typically associated with sleep, awake bruxism can occur during periods of concentration or physical exertion.
The experts explained that repeated clenching of the jaw muscles (masseters) can lead to their hypertrophy, meaning they become enlarged and more prominent. This can contribute to facial asymmetry, where one side of the face might appear more developed or angular than the other, and can create a distinct facial shape. In Korea, this phenomenon is sometimes colloquially referred to as a "peanut-shaped" face, characterized by a wider appearance around the cheekbone and jaw areas relative to the middle of the face, creating a slight indentation or narrowing in the mid-face. This finding was particularly startling for Yulhee, as it represented a deep-seated, unconscious habit with tangible aesthetic consequences. Such habits, often driven by stress or ingrained behavioral patterns, underscore the intricate connection between lifestyle, internal physiological processes, and external appearance.
The Path to Transformation: A Customized Treatment Plan
The revelations about Yulhee’s skin and facial concerns elicited audible gasps and expressions of concern from the studio audience and hosts. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of her issues, the program’s experts devised a customized three-step treatment plan designed to address both the underlying skin inflammation and the structural facial imbalances.
- Skin Booster Shots: These treatments involve micro-injections of hydrating and revitalizing substances, often containing hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and amino acids, directly into the skin. The goal is to deeply moisturize, improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines, and enhance overall skin texture and radiance. For Yulhee, these boosters were crucial for repairing her compromised skin barrier and combating the chronic dryness and inflammation identified by the experts.
- Botox for the Skin (Skin Botox/Dermotoxin): Unlike traditional Botox injections aimed at relaxing specific muscles to reduce wrinkles, "skin Botox" or "dermotoxin" involves injecting diluted Botox superficially into the dermal layer of the skin. This technique targets the sweat and oil glands, leading to reduced pore size, decreased oil production, and an overall smoother, tighter skin texture. It also helps to subtly lift and improve skin elasticity, making it an ideal solution for addressing Yulhee’s inflammatory issues and refining her complexion.
- Contouring Fillers: Dermal fillers, typically composed of hyaluronic acid, were strategically used to address the facial asymmetry and reshape certain areas of Yulhee’s face. In her case, fillers could be employed to soften the appearance of enlarged jaw muscles (potentially in conjunction with Botox in the masseter muscles to reduce their size) and to restore volume or create more harmonious contours, counteracting the "peanut-shaped" effect. This treatment aimed to bring balance and a more refined silhouette to her facial structure.
Following the comprehensive treatment regimen, Yulhee reappeared on the show, presenting a visibly transformed and noticeably more polished look. Her complexion appeared clearer, more hydrated, and less inflamed, while her facial contours exhibited greater harmony and definition. The change was so striking that it drew surprised and admiring reactions from everyone in the studio, with many remarking that she had recaptured the radiant appearance reminiscent of her active girl group days. This dramatic visual improvement served as a powerful testament to the efficacy of personalized aesthetic treatments when guided by expert diagnosis.
Broader Implications and Societal Discourse
Yulhee’s journey on Beauty Clinic Touch Me transcends a mere celebrity makeover; it touches upon several significant societal themes, particularly within the context of South Korean culture and the broader challenges faced by mothers globally.
The Motherhood Penalty in Self-Care: Yulhee’s candid admissions about neglecting her self-care due to prioritizing her children resonate deeply with countless mothers. In many societies, there is an implicit "motherhood penalty" where women often sacrifice personal time, career advancement, and self-care routines for the sake of their families. Yulhee’s story brings this often-unspoken reality into the public discourse, validating the experiences of mothers who find their physical and mental well-being impacted by the relentless demands of parenting. Her vulnerability helps to destigmatize the idea that mothers must always appear perfectly put-together, and highlights the need for greater support systems that allow women to maintain their personal identity and health.
Korean Beauty Standards and Public Figures: South Korea has a globally recognized and highly competitive beauty industry, with immense pressure on public figures to maintain flawless appearances. For former idols like Yulhee, who have been under intense scrutiny since their teenage years, the expectation to uphold a youthful and polished image is particularly acute. Her willingness to showcase her "before" state – one of neglected self-care and hidden concerns – is a courageous act in a culture that often emphasizes perfection. Her transformation also highlights the advanced nature and accessibility of aesthetic treatments in South Korea, which are often sought after for both corrective and preventative purposes.
The Educational Role of Reality TV: Shows like Beauty Clinic Touch Me serve a dual purpose: entertainment and education. By featuring a relatable figure like Yulhee, the program not only captivates viewers with a transformation narrative but also provides valuable insights into dermatological issues, the science behind skin health, and the potential pitfalls of both neglect and over-treatment. The expert explanations regarding inflammation, skin barrier function, and the effects of habits like teeth clenching offer practical knowledge that viewers can apply to their own lives. It underscores the importance of seeking professional advice rather than relying on assumptions or extreme self-prescribed routines.
The Importance of Balanced Self-Care: Yulhee’s experience serves as a compelling reminder that effective self-care is about balance. Neither complete neglect nor aggressive, uninformed practices are beneficial. Experts consistently advocate for a moderate, consistent, and personalized approach to skincare, emphasizing gentle cleansing, adequate hydration, sun protection, and addressing underlying issues with professional guidance. Her journey from unknowingly damaging her skin through excessive cleansing to adopting a targeted, medically supervised plan offers a powerful narrative about reclaiming personal well-being through informed choices.
In conclusion, Yulhee’s appearance on Beauty Clinic Touch Me was more than just a reveal of personal beauty struggles; it was a poignant commentary on the sacrifices of motherhood, the pervasive nature of societal beauty standards, and the transformative power of informed self-care. Her candidness has undoubtedly resonated with many, sparking conversations about the importance of holistic well-being and the courage it takes to confront and address personal challenges in the public eye.