Park Bom (박봄) has once again become the centre of online discussion, following a series of controversies involving her former agency, YG Entertainment. After her recent mass unfollowing on Instagram and reports that she is suing YG’s CEO Yang Hyun Suk for a substantial sum, the singer’s name has resurfaced in connection to past treatment and image-related scrutiny during her time with 2NE1 (투애니원).
As news of the lawsuit spread, the idol’s agency, D-Nation Entertainment, released two statements addressing the allegations, though details of the legal dispute remain limited. Meanwhile, online discussions have reignited surrounding the idol’s visual transformation over the years, with netizens revisiting the pressures she and her fellow 2NE1 members allegedly faced while under YG Entertainment’s management.
Amid the renewed scrutiny, the 2NE1 member addressed the issue in a now-deleted Instagram post. In her statement, she alleged that YG Entertainment had pressured her into undergoing cosmetic procedures and even mocked her for it afterwards. “They said they made my appearance look stupid, just to mock me. Thinking about it, YG never once paid for my cosmetic surgery. The few procedures I had were all paid for out of my own pocket. One day, they suddenly apologised to me on the stairs. When I asked why, they said they had been using me as a joke for discussions about plastic surgery,” she wrote.
Fans recalled previous accounts in which 2NE1 members spoke candidly about their experiences, particularly remarks made by YG founder Yang Hyun Suk regarding their appearances. CL (씨엘) once revealed that during a rehearsal without makeup, the CEO referred to the group as “really ugly” in front of staff, and even suggested that she undergo plastic surgery prior to debut. Many fans have since viewed such incidents as examples of the harsh criticism the members endured early in their careers.
This context has resurfaced as images of Park Bom from her early days began circulating online. One viral post, which has now reached over four million views, compared her current visuals to older photos, sparking renewed debate about the extent of her cosmetic enhancements. Reactions were divided, as while some expressed shock, others defended the singer, arguing that such comparisons were invasive and irrelevant to her artistry.
Despite the controversy, the idol continues to receive an outpouring of support from long-time fans who praise her resilience and talent. As the legal proceedings and discussions unfold, many hope that her story will shed light on the deeper systemic issues surrounding body image, beauty standards, and the treatment of artists within the K-pop industry.
