By Nila Kartika Wati 
The intersection of celebrity life and the demanding realities of motherhood took center stage on the August 28 broadcast of Channel A’s "Beauty Clinic Touch Me," where former LABOUM member Yulhee made a candid appearance. As the youngest featured guest in the program’s history, the 26-year-old entertainer underwent a comprehensive dermatological and aesthetic evaluation, revealing the physical toll of consecutive pregnancies, the stresses of raising three young children, and a period of prolonged self-neglect. The episode provided a rare, unvarnished look at the skin health challenges faced by young parents, even those previously acclimated to the high-maintenance standards of the K-pop industry.
Born in 1997, Yulhee entered the public eye at a young age, debuting with the girl group LABOUM in 2014. Her transition from an active idol to a mother of three within a few short years represents a significant life shift that she admitted led to a decline in her personal care routines. During the broadcast, Yulhee confessed that her relative youth had fostered a sense of complacency regarding her skin’s resilience. "Because I am still in my 20s, I assumed I didn’t need to worry much about skincare," she remarked, echoing a common sentiment among young adults. However, the reality of managing a household with a son and twin daughters meant that her own needs were frequently sidelined in favor of her family’s schedule.
Clinical Analysis of Skin Deterioration and the "Self-Care Gap"
The "Beauty Clinic Touch Me" experts, led by beauty specialist Kim Hyun Ok, conducted a deep-tissue examination of Yulhee’s skin to move beyond surface-level observations. The results were startling to both the hosts and Yulhee herself. Despite her youthful age, the examination identified chronic inflammation as a primary underlying concern. According to the clinical analysis, this inflammation was not merely a result of environmental factors but was exacerbated by lifestyle habits that disrupted the skin’s natural regenerative cycle.
Kim Hyun Ok explained that the structural integrity of the skin relies on a delicate balance of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. When these components are compromised by internal stress, hormonal fluctuations—such as those experienced during and after pregnancy—and external neglect, the skin barrier weakens. For Yulhee, this manifested as localized redness, significant dryness, and a burgeoning loss of elasticity. The experts noted that while these issues might be invisible under professional makeup, they pose long-term risks for premature aging and chronic sensitivity if left unaddressed.
The show highlighted a "self-care gap" that often affects young mothers. Yulhee admitted to several habits that shocked the panel, including frequently consuming high-sodium late-night meals to cope with the exhaustion of parenting and, occasionally, falling asleep without removing her stage or daily makeup. Such habits prevent the skin from entering its "repair mode" during sleep, leading to clogged pores and oxidative stress.
The Paradox of Aggressive Cleansing
One of the most significant revelations during the program involved Yulhee’s attempts to compensate for her periods of neglect. In an effort to ensure her skin was "clean," Yulhee revealed she had adopted an extreme cleansing routine. This process involved three distinct stages—often including heavy oils, foams, and manual exfoliation—lasting upwards of 30 minutes.
While Yulhee believed this thoroughness was beneficial, the beauty experts identified it as a primary source of her skin’s inflammation. Dermatological science suggests that over-cleansing strips the skin of its natural sebum and disrupts the acid mantle, the thin, protective film on the surface of the skin. By rubbing the face aggressively for 30 minutes, Yulhee was inadvertently causing micro-tears and chronic irritation. The experts warned that a compromised skin barrier is less able to retain moisture and more susceptible to environmental pollutants, creating a cycle of dryness and reactivity that no amount of moisturizer can easily fix.
Structural Changes and the "Peanut-Shaped" Face
Beyond the epidermal concerns, the program analyzed Yulhee’s facial structure, which she felt had changed significantly since her days as a girl group member. The experts observed a phenomenon sometimes referred to in South Korean aesthetic circles as a "peanut-shaped" face. This term describes a facial silhouette where the temples appear hollowed, the cheekbones become more prominent, and the jawline widens, creating an uneven, indented appearance along the sides of the face.
The cause, in Yulhee’s case, was attributed to unconscious muscular habits. The experts noted that Yulhee had a tendency to clench her teeth—a condition known as bruxism—particularly while exercising or under stress. Constant clenching over-develops the masseter muscles (the primary muscles used for chewing), leading to a wider, more angular lower face. When combined with the natural loss of facial fat that can occur following pregnancy and the stress of childcare, the result is a loss of the "V-line" or oval shape that is highly prized in the Korean beauty industry. This structural shift can contribute to a look of perceived exhaustion or premature aging, regardless of the person’s actual age.
Chronology of Yulhee’s Career and Personal Transitions
To understand the context of Yulhee’s current health journey, it is necessary to look at the rapid pace of her personal and professional life over the last decade:
- 2014: Yulhee debuts as the "maknae" (youngest member) and main rapper of the K-pop girl group LABOUM, gaining popularity for her visuals and performance energy.
- Late 2017: Yulhee departs from LABOUM and the entertainment industry following the confirmation of her relationship with FTISLAND’s drummer, Choi Minhwan.
- May 2018: The couple welcomes their first child, a son named Jae-yul. They officially wed in October of the same year.
- February 2020: Yulhee gives birth to twin daughters, Arin and Ayun. The family becomes a fixture on the reality show "Mr. House Husband," where Yulhee’s life as a young mother is documented.
- December 2023: After five years of marriage, Yulhee and Choi Minhwan announce their divorce. They agree that Choi will have primary custody of the children to minimize disruption to their environment, while Yulhee maintains frequent visitation and a close relationship with them.
- August 2024: Yulhee appears on "Beauty Clinic Touch Me," signaling a new chapter focused on self-recovery and a return to the public eye as an individual.
Medical Intervention and Aesthetic Restoration
Recognizing the severity of her skin barrier damage and the muscular changes in her face, the clinic proposed a customized three-step treatment plan. This was not merely for cosmetic enhancement but was framed as a "medical restoration" of her skin health.
- Skin Booster Injections: To address deep-seated inflammation and dehydration, Yulhee received skin boosters (often containing polynucleotides or hyaluronic acid). These are designed to stimulate cellular regeneration from within the dermis, providing a level of hydration that topical creams cannot reach.
- Skin Botox (Dermotoxin): Unlike traditional Botox which is injected into the muscle to freeze movement, "Skin Botox" is injected into the superficial layers of the skin. This technique helps to minimize pore size, reduce fine lines, and give the skin a "glassy" finish without affecting facial expressions.
- Contouring Fillers and Masseter Botox: To correct the "peanut" shape, the experts used fillers to subtly revolumize the hollowed areas of the temples and cheeks. This was complemented by Botox in the jaw muscles to reduce the bulk caused by her clenching habit, restoring a smoother, more symmetrical facial contour.
Following the procedures, the program showcased Yulhee’s transformation. The results were described by the studio hosts as a "return to her idol days." Her skin appeared more radiant and even-toned, and the structural balance of her face was visibly restored, softening the harsh angles that had developed during her years of high-stress parenting.
Broader Implications for the Entertainment Industry and Young Parents
Yulhee’s segment on "Beauty Clinic Touch Me" resonates beyond the realm of celebrity gossip, touching upon the broader societal pressures placed on young women in South Korea. The K-pop industry, in particular, demands a level of physical perfection that is often at odds with the biological and logistical realities of motherhood. Yulhee’s willingness to appear bare-faced and discuss her "neglect" highlights a growing trend of "vulnerability marketing" and authenticity among former idols.
Furthermore, the episode serves as a cautionary tale regarding the "excesses" of skincare. In a culture saturated with multi-step routines and the "K-beauty" phenomenon, Yulhee’s experience with over-cleansing underscores the importance of dermatological balance over aggressive hygiene. It highlights that "more" is not always "better" when it comes to skin barrier maintenance.
As Yulhee navigates her post-divorce life and her mid-20s, her journey on the show represents a reclaiming of her identity outside of being a "mother" or a "wife." The positive reception to her transformation suggests a supportive public sentiment toward her return to the spotlight. For many viewers, her story is a reminder that self-care is not an act of vanity but a necessary component of health, especially for those who have spent years prioritizing the well-being of others over themselves.
