Why do majority of KPOP fans like whitewashed photos of their fave?

I'm not sure if it's the majority, but I'd imagine since lighter skintones adhere to the Korean beauty standards, some might prefer to see their idols looking like that since it makes them look more perfect and beautiful (in their eyes).

But usually among western fanbases, I see more people criticizing whitewashing.

idk what goes on in korea but with us ifans most people get annoyed that the idols get whitewashed to the point of their nose disappearing actually

it's the beauty standard over there and in china as well

I think it comes from historical times (at least in China) where the labourers would work in the fields and thus the sun would darker their skin whereas the nobility would be indoors away from the sun and thus have lighter skin