The visual standards today are higher than SNSDs days

It’s not just kpop and idols! The standard visuals

worldwide are more unattainable than ever thanks to social media! You either have the Instagram look or you’re consider unattractive

While you are crazy, I agree. Unfortunately idols are debuting and looking like dolls, but sometimes they just lose all their previous face features. Looks obsession is tiring and worrisome. It's affecting both males and females and I doubt they are choosing these ps by themselves when companies are knowing for making it hard for them.

In what ways though? It's always been : fair skin, skinny, pearly white veneers, double eyelids, V shaped jaw.

Remember how YG allegedly violated 2NE1 for being ''ugly''?Daesung got some of that treatment as well & Shindong.

Quote from Owned_by_Irene

the "necessity" to fit the ideal wasn't as strong back then despite it being worshipped. its more do or die now. idols are getting the amount of procedures predebut that 2nd genner got in 8 years

I think it's just a result of the companies realizing that looks outsell talent. If you take a bunch of extremely attractive but average performers and you match them versus average looking but amazing performers, first option wins in Kpop.

So the emphasis shifted from extreme training then small procedures to drastic procedures and more lax training.

I think Le Sserafim, Aespa & ILLIT are good examples of that and why it works.