Dentists divided over NewJeans Haerin's dental changes

As girl group NewJeans prepares for a comeback, attention is growing surrounding the changed appearance of member Haerin's teeth. The unique dental alignment that once completed her "cat-like" image appears different than before, leading to disappointment among some fans, while several dentists have publicly analyzed and shared their opinions on the changes.

However, it has not been confirmed whether Haerin actually underwent laminate procedures. While "laminate rumors" are circulating online, it is difficult to conclude whether a specific procedure was performed based solely on appearance.

Kim Gun-min, head director of Yonsei Gun Dental Clinic, recently released a video on his SNS titled "The reason why Haerin's laminate, analyzed by Director Kim, is upsetting," comparing Haerin's past and recent photos.

The aspect Kim focused on was the individuality of each tooth.

Regarding Haerin's past teeth, he evaluated, "Because they had different personalities, the teeth had a sense of separation. I believe teeth that have their own individual character are actually more charming."

In particular, he analyzed that the overall impression has changed as the shape and arrangement of the canines and premolars have shifted.

Kim explained, "The overall arrangement of the teeth—the shape of the canines and premolars used to be like this, but now they have changed into a nearly flat, straight form."

Ultimately, what he pointed out was not simply a matter of whether the teeth became "prettier" or "uglier." The natural irregularities of the past, where each tooth had a slightly different shape, created Haerin's unique individuality; however, as the teeth now appear in a more uniform shape, that individuality has faded.

In fact, Haerin's past teeth had been highly evaluated aesthetically even among dental experts.

Kim Hyun-mo, head director of 2D Dental Clinic, personally selected Haerin in past content titled "Idols with pretty teeth chosen by a front tooth laminate master." At that time, Haerin's teeth were introduced as an example where the natural shape and arrangement were actually more charming than a standardized smile.

However, not all experts view the recent changes negatively.

Kwon Su-jin, head director of Seoul Wide Dental Clinic, compared Haerin's before and after appearance and evaluated, "She was pretty before, and she is also pretty after."

She continued by suggesting, "In fact, it seems like a laminate procedure that didn't involve much shaving," while expressing the stance that there is no need to view the change itself negatively.

Ultimately, expert opinions are not unified. Some believe the natural dental arrangement created Haerin's unique charm, while others evaluate that her current teeth are sufficiently natural and have no aesthetic issues.

The controversy grew because Haerin's teeth were more than just a body part; they were closely linked to her image.

During NewJeans' activities, Haerin's large eyes, sharp facial lines, unique expressions, and the slightly visible canines created a unique atmosphere reminiscent of a cat. In particular, the shape of her teeth, which naturally revealed when she smiled, was one of Haerin's unique characteristics that distinguished her from other members.

This is also why fans noticed the change in her teeth in the NewJeans 4th anniversary debut content released last month. As her canines appeared less prominent than before, speculations arose online regarding whether she had undergone orthodontic treatment or laminates.

Some fans expressed disappointment, saying, "I liked the natural feeling from before better." On the other hand, opposing opinions argued that since changes in appearance are a personal choice, there is no need to overinterpret them.

Above all, it is important to note that it is impossible to confirm whether a specific dental procedure was performed based only on the currently released photos or videos.

This is not the first time rumors regarding dental procedures for a NewJeans member have surfaced. ADOR previously clarified that rumors regarding Hyein's laminates in 2023 were untrue. At that time, ADOR explained that it was not a laminate procedure, but a program to improve dental alignment while preserving the existing teeth as much as possible.

Ultimately, the interest in Haerin's recent dental change is expanding beyond whether an actual procedure or treatment took place, toward the question of what "Haerin-ness" fans remember.

If looking strictly at aesthetic standards for teeth, a neat and uniform arrangement can be evaluated as ideal. However, ironically, what makes a star's face memorable in popular culture is sometimes not perfect symmetry or a tidy form. Small asymmetries, unique tooth shapes, or subtle facial habits—things that could be targets for orthodontic correction—can actually become a person's signature.

The reaction surrounding Haerin's teeth reflects this paradox. It is not whether her teeth have become more even that matters, but how that change alters the unique impression of the star Haerin—a question that remains central to her fans.