Just Like Us: 6 K-Pop Idols Who Have Been Open About Struggling With Eczema And Other Skin Conditions

We’re so used to seeing pictures of K-Pop idols looking absolutely perfect, with their skin smoothed into pore-less-ness and every imperfection expertly erased away. In reality, while many idols do have above-average looks, they deal with similar issues that regular people do with their appearances! There have been a couple of idols who have even been open about struggling with serious skin conditions such as eczema, and fans love them all the more for being honest about their difficulties. Here are 6 idols who have spoken about their skin challenges.

1. Seonghwa (ATEEZ)

Seonghwa has openly talked about his struggles with eczema with fans over messaging apps, and that it tends to break out on his neck and arms when he’s stressed. During ATEEZ’s “Inception” era, he even had to seek treatment from a dermatologist because of how bad it was. He says that he tends to keep his nails short to try to prevent himself from scratching, and he has to be careful with his makeup removal and skincare in general so it doesn’t cause further irritation to his skin. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem to be bothering him as much these days!

: it happens/i get it when i scratch it?
: i think it’s like that
: If i just don’t scratch it,
: it gets better really quickly
: When it’s really itchy,
: i wanna tie up my hands
: Usually/originally i prefer (having) slightly long nails

— 미샤 | D-46 ♡ | slow (@atzxmxxshx) April 17, 2022

: When i get it (eczema) on my neck, it’s the most stressful
: The next is my arms/hands ㅠㅠ
: since it can be seen,
: in the fancams if you see it like hives on my arms,
:
: resist/withstand itㅋㄲㅋㅋㄲㅋㅋㅋ
: That’s good/nice

— 미샤 | D-46 ♡ | slow (@atzxmxxshx) April 17, 2022

2. Taehyun (TXT)

Taehyun has also mentioned struggling with eczema/atopic dermatitis, as well as rhinitis that causes eye inflammation. Fans were concerned about him during the beginning of their recent U.S. tour when they noticed his neck looking red and irritated, and it turns out he’d forgotten his medicine for his condition (though thankfully a staff member was able to bring some with him later on). He seems to suffer from it the most on his neck, and even avoids wearing turtlenecks because of it.

11 yrs old Taehyun wrote “I wish I could get rid of atopy” for his New year’s wish

taehyun’s 2022 new year wish was also about his hope of atopia getting better

he struggles with atopia especially on neck area which is why he don’t like turtleneck outfits pic.twitter.com/e3ZXaxAN66

— ˖ ࣪taehyun ๋࣭ ࣪ (@idoltyunie) March 18, 2023

3. V (BTS)

V doesn’t seem to have eczema, but instead has a condition called cholinergic urticaria, which is where he develops an itchy skin rash when he becomes too hot. Because of this, he tends to wear loose clothing and drinks a lot of water to prevent himself from overheating. Reactions to the condition can range from mild itchiness to more severe symptoms such as faintness, difficulty breathing, and pain. It’s not a well-known condition, and V has helped draw more awareness to it because of how open he’s been about it. And thankfully, fellow member Jungkook seems to look out for V to prevent him from getting breakouts whenever possible.

One of my fav taekook moment is in Run Ep 52, Jk said he doesn’t want to be in the ‘dry sauna’ team. When Taehyung picked ‘dry sauna’ and ask if he can change, no one agreed, but JK offered his paper, because he knows that Taehyung has cholinergic urticaria pic.twitter.com/hFFdntABgB

— Shayi⁷ | SEVEN BY JK (@Shayi_mochi) September 20, 2020

4. Bomi (Apink)

Bomi is another idol that struggles with atopic dermatitis, which causes her skin to be red and itchy from time to time. And in fact, it has even led her to having an unexpected relationship with another K-Pop idol that struggles with the condition…

5. Hyungwon (MONSTA X)

Hyungwon and Bomi bonded over their shared atopic dermatitis and have become friends because of it! While we wish neither of them had to deal with the condition, we’re glad that they were able to relate to each other and give one another support.

A long time ago, Bomi mentioned she and Hyungwon are friends because they both have atopic dermatitis https://t.co/NVoQCsqGhb pic.twitter.com/dPQKhikDO8

— Hyungwon Things 형원 | fan account (@HyungwonThings) January 9, 2022

6. Taeyong (NCT)

Finally, Taeyong is another idol who has struggled with atopic dermatitis. In fact, it was so bad when he was younger that he scratched himself to the point of developing a scar near his eye, which he still has today (and which many fans find endearing, as it resembles a rose). He’s had flare-ups due to hair dye and even accessories he’s worn before, so his stylists have to be careful about what they have him wear, and it sounds like he just generally has really sensitive skin overall which has led him to having a carefully curated skincare routine.

Taeyong talked about the scar he got when he was young due to atopy/ (atopic dermatitis?)
His rose scar is so pretty though@NCTsmtown_127 #NCT #NCT127 #TAEYONG pic.twitter.com/AHNAGu4tfw

— Mævis♡ | Mrs. R꩜ver (@BiankaiC) May 24, 2020