Kim Hee-ae's Wrinkles, Son Ye-jin's Mukbang: K-Stars Face Harsh Scrutiny

Two of South Korea's most recognizable actresses are at the center of a new online debate, and neither one is about acting. Comments about Kim Hee-ae's wrinkles and Son Ye-jin's eating habits have drawn pushback from viewers who say the scrutiny has gone too far.

Kim recently appeared in an interview video filmed at Paris Fashion Week. Online, much of the reaction focused less on what she said and more on her face. Some users wrote that she looked like she had "suddenly aged" and that her wrinkles were "too visible."

Others defended her. Kim was born in 1967 and is 59 this year, and many viewers called the changes a normal part of aging. A number of comments said it was refreshing to see an actress allow her face to age naturally instead of smoothing out every line with cosmetic procedures.

Son Ye-jin ran into a different kind of criticism after posting a short clip of herself eating on social media. Many fans found the video relatable and liked seeing her eat casually on camera. Some viewers, though, took issue with the sound of her chewing.

The clip spread to Japanese social media, where some local users also turned it into a broader discussion about Korean dining culture. That drew pushback in South Korea. Critics said it was unfair to judge one person's manners, let alone an entire country's dining culture, based on a short video of someone eating a snack.

One actress was picked apart for her wrinkles. The other was picked apart for how she ate. Neither had anything to do with a role or a performance. The two controversies have fueled criticism over how female stars in South Korea are held to a stricter standard beyond their work, with their faces and everyday moments often becoming subjects of scrutinity long after the cameras on set have stopped rolling.