Fifth-Gen Girl Group Member Gets Upset Over Being Called “Healthy”

The beauty standards of the K-Pop industry are once again under scrutiny after a young idol was seen visibly unhappy when called “healthy.”

The idol in question is Asa, the 20-year-old Japanese member of BABYMONSTER.

Asa | @babymonster_ygofficial/Instagram

The incident occurred during a recent fan event when a fan loudly complimented Asa, telling her that she was looking “healthier.” Initially, she couldn’t hear them properly and thought they were asking for a selfie, smiling sweetly in response. However, as soon as she realized she was being called “healthy,” her smile dropped visibly.

The idol then looked into what appeared to be a small mirror beside her, checking her cheeks, only to turn around with a puckered face, sucking in her cheeks.

The clip capturing this incident has gone viral on X (formerly Twitter), with netizens calling Asa’s reaction a direct result of the toxic diet culture and body image issues prevalent in the K-Pop space.

Damn so for them if someone compliments you look healthy means you gain weight/getting chubby or what??! 😭 https://t.co/prmsCscRB2

— Hyemin 🇲🇾 (ALKEY) (@GinJlover) June 2, 2026

STOP WTF they dont deserve this free these women and girls from these shackles we call beauty standards please please https://t.co/YCQ4mpLMj0

— mitty 미티 (@mittystheme) June 2, 2026

my girl is definitely disordered :(( https://t.co/WbuL1GXF8L

— sua (@ihrtmzsu) June 2, 2026

nooooooo 😭 why was she concious being told that? it is good that you're healthy 😭 https://t.co/AgT3YXehu9

— 💜ㅌㅇㅌㅇ💜 🇵🇸 (@thank_u_taeyeon) June 2, 2026

However, many also criticized the fan for their choice of words, arguing that in Asian cultures, “healthy” is often used as a backhanded remark to criticize people for their weight.

but why would you say you look healthy instead of you look good or you look pretty like😭 https://t.co/PrzFCil7fv

— camila 🪽 (@aboutwjsn) June 2, 2026

idk why people are acting like this is a korea thing when “you look healthier” can be and often is used as a backhanded compliment almost everywhere in the world… like if anything reacting this way isn’t because of “korean standards” it’s because of Eating Disorder https://t.co/CYjdGENYqE

— yoon (@lowcalbongwater) June 2, 2026

no cause why would you say that to her https://t.co/4aCgvaGp0o

— an ᨳଓ (@gkvcr) June 2, 2026