Since ILLIT’s debut, Minju has been drawing attention for her visuals, and now that attention has sparked a round of plastic surgery speculation. Fans have been posting old photos and comparing them with new stage photos and promotional pictures on social media, leading to rumors that she may have had plastic surgery.
Everyone's dragging Giselle’s jaw but what did Hybe actually do to this girl? 👀 pic.twitter.com/ilMuBsl5bw
— yoongina (@pradafilez) May 12, 2026
By late 2025, rumors about ILLIT’s Minju getting plastic surgery became a major topic online. Fans started sharing “before and after” photos, pointing out changes in her nose, jaw, and eyes that they felt were too obvious to be natural. Old photos of her before she started her career also became popular again, which kept people talking about how her look has changed.
On social media sites, people are saying Minju’s look is now much sharper and more refined. That fed directly into the wider Minju visual controversy, as many fans believe the changes are too big to be caused by just makeup or lighting. They specifically pointed to her nose and face shape, claiming the differences in the photos are very obvious.
Several fan comments claimed Minju’s recent face shape and nose line look noticeably different in newer high-quality images than in older pre-debut photos.
However, not everyone agrees with the surgery rumors. Many people believe her new look is just a normal “glow-up” for a new K-pop star. They argue that better makeup, professional lighting, and new styling are the real reasons she looks different.
Supporters also point out that people naturally change as they grow up, especially when comparing photos taken several years apart.
By February 2026, HYBE and BELIFT reportedly denied the allegations, saying Minju’s visuals were the result of natural growth, styling, and makeup rather than cosmetic procedures. Even so, comparison posts kept circulating into March, with some fans still convinced something had changed.
