Who Really Pays For Idols’ Plastic Surgery? K-Pop Surgeons Reveal The Truth

From non-invasive treatments like lip fillers to major procedures like jawbone shaving, plastic surgery doesn’t come cheap. So, when K-Pop stars go under the knife, who foots the bill? Two plastic surgeons with experience in the K-Pop industry revealed all in a new “Comment Defenders” video with AYO on YouTube.

As the directors of Moon Clinic, a popular cosmetic treatment facility in Gangnam, Park Moon Soo and Kook Hwa have performed numerous treatments—to the point that Park has even dined with a K-Pop star. So, who better to reveal the truth about idol cosmetic surgery financing.

Park Moon Soo (left) & Kook Hwa (right) | AYO 에이요/YouTube

Idols seem to get most of the cosmetic treatments. How much would that be for all? Agencies pay for them, right?

— AYO commenter

When it comes to plastic surgery, K-Pop fans have long wondered whether idols pay for their own costly treatments to increase their chances at fame or whether agencies are the ones who foot the bill. Park Moon Soo and Kook Hwa both joked that talking about money is a sensitive topic for plastic surgeons. However, they were willing to divulge a little information to fans.

| AYO 에이요/YouTube

First off, Park Moon Soo explained that agencies are the ones who introduce plastic surgery clinics to idols. Since many stars undergo cosmetic procedures, it makes sense that many companies must have close contact with the best cosmetic hospitals in Seoul.

Moon Clinic | Senkan Koukuu

As for whether idols or agencies pay for the procedures, Park Moon Soo reveals that the answer is both—kind of. According to the Moon Clinic director, good K-Pop companies make the initial payment for each idols’ plastic surgery. However, that money is eventually deducted from the idol’s paycheck when the company pays them. So, while agencies take care of the upfront cost, the price ultimately falls on the idols themselves.

| AYO 에이요/YouTube

Agencies introduce hospitals to idols and when they pay the idols, the money for treatments is deducted from the payment.

— Park Moon Soo

Park Moon Soo and Kook Hwa went on to say that the situation is somewhat different in “bad agencies.” These companies rely on idols scoring endorsement deals with hospitals in order to cover the cost of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures.