Hong Soo-ah shares life in China, expresses satisfaction with plastic surgery

Actress Hong Soo-ah has showcased her refreshed visuals by sharing glimpses of her relaxed daily life in China. Having previously been open about undergoing plastic surgery, she expressed satisfaction with her decision, stating, “The surgery went well,” a sentiment that has drawn renewed interest in her recent activities.

On the 18th, Hong shared several photos taken in China on her SNS.

In the photos, Hong is seen enjoying leisure time exploring various local spots in a black one-piece dress. She is captured taking photos against a backdrop of lotus flowers with her hair neatly tied, as well as smiling brightly while enjoying local cuisine.

In particular, a scene where she holds two dolls nearly as large as herself at a doll shop caught everyone's attention. Even among the numerous dolls, Hong's presence stood out so much that it created a scene as if a doll were holding another doll.

Her signature glamorous appearance was further emphasized by her small face, distinct features, and slim silhouette. Netizens reacted to the photos with comments such as, “She is so pretty and beautiful,” “A doll is holding a doll,” and “I couldn't even find her among the dolls.”

Hong's change in appearance has been a subject of public interest for some time. She appeared on the YouTube channel ‘Knock Knock’ in 2024, where she candidly admitted to having plastic surgery and explained the motivations behind her decision to change her look.

At the time, Hong stated, “With my old face and old image, I mostly received offers for supporting roles, like the protagonist's younger sibling or the protagonist's friend. I wanted to be an actress who could perform deep, internal acting, but I felt limited because the roles I always received were so restricted.”

For an actress, the face is more than just an external trait; it is a vital image asset that determines the range of characters and roles one can portray. Hong explained that she chose to change because she felt a gap between her existing image and the type of acting she truly wanted to pursue.

She specifically noted that her concerns regarding her appearance became more pronounced during her work in China.

Recalling her time filming a drama as the female lead in China, Hong said, “Since I didn't have double eyelids, I had to apply very thick eyeliner. It was a role where my face needed to look very clean on screen, so I felt regretful that the eyeliner looked too heavy.”

Ultimately, she moved forward with the changes and has given a positive evaluation of the results.

While expressing her satisfaction by saying, “The plastic surgery went well,” Hong also confessed that many fans in Korea actually miss her former look.

She remarked, “Korean fans miss my old face. Since I had a unique face without double eyelids and a bubbly image when I appeared in sitcoms, there are quite a few people in Korea who miss my old face more.”

This highlights that public perception regarding Hong's transformation is not merely about whether she is “prettier.” An actress's face carries the accumulated weight of past works, characters, and the specific image the public remembers.

After making her debut in the entertainment industry as an exclusive model for the fashion magazine ‘Ceci’ in 2003, Hong has expanded her career through sitcoms, dramas, and films. After gaining fame for her signature lively image, she has continued to work actively in China, balancing domestic and international activities.

These recent photos serve as more than just a status update; they represent the present Hong Soo-ah, an actress who has long worked to expand her image and acting range.

While the views of fans who remember her past self and the public observing her current appearance may differ, Hong appears to be embracing the changes she chose. Ultimately, even amidst the unfamiliar scenery of China and the glamorous dolls, it was the unchanging presence of actress Hong Soo-ah that captured the spotlight.