South Korean rapper PSY, globally renowned for his 2012 viral hit Gangnam Style, has found himself at the center of a surprising controversy after sharing a post on Instagram on February 14, 2025.
The 47-year-old artist, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, posted a side-by-side comparison of his appearance in 2006 and 2025, showcasing a dramatic transformation in his physique.
While the post was intended to reflect on his journey over the past two decades, it quickly ignited a firestorm among fans, many of whom accused him of losing his “own face” and failing to maintain the iconic, fuller figure they associate with his larger-than-life persona.
The comments section of PSY’s post erupted with criticism, particularly from Korean fans who have long embraced his chubby, energetic image as part of his charm.
“What’s going on, bro? Are you not going to take care of yourself like this?” one fan wrote, while another lamented, “Where did all the meat go? This isn’t PSY.”
Some even jokingly claimed that PSY was being “unprofessional” by slimming down, a sentiment rooted in the playful but persistent expectation that he maintain his rounder look despite his high-energy performances.
For years, fans have teased PSY whenever he lost weight, viewing his fluctuating figure as part of his unique identity in the K-pop world.
However, this time, the backlash was more intense, with some fans suggesting that his slimmer frame made him unrecognizable and diminished the essence of the “Gangnam Style” star they adored.
In an unexpected response, PSY began issuing apologies to his fans directly in the comments, a move that left many netizens baffled. “Sorry, I will manage my weight,” he replied to multiple users, promising to “get back on track” and regain the fuller figure his fans prefer.
This wasn’t the first time PSY has addressed such criticism — he made a similar promise in 2021 after fans commented on his weight loss while promoting singer Hyuna, and again in 2024 with a humorous apology video after appearing on JTBC’s Knowing Bros.
However, his repeated, earnest apologies in 2025 have sparked a broader conversation about celebrity body image and fan expectations in South Korea. On platforms like Reddit, fans explained the context, noting that PSY’s “chubbier look” has long been part of his brand, with one user clarifying, “His fans jokingly say he’s being ‘unprofessional’ for losing that roundness as he gets older.”
PSY’s approach to the backlash has been dubbed by some as a new form of Korean anti-crisis PR, blending humor, humility, and direct engagement to diffuse controversy.
Unlike the typical celebrity response of ignoring criticism or issuing a single formal statement, PSY’s decision to personally apologize to fans in the comments section has been praised as a savvy move to maintain his connection with his audience.
Matt J. Duffy, a journalism teacher from Atlanta, commented on a similar situation in 2012, calling PSY’s handling of criticism a “lesson in good crisis PR.”
By addressing fans directly, PSY not only acknowledged their concerns but also leaned into the lighthearted nature of the critique, turning a potential PR crisis into an opportunity to reinforce his relatable, down-to-earth image.
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This incident highlights a deeper issue within South Korea’s entertainment industry, where rigid beauty standards often place immense pressure on celebrities to conform to specific physical ideals.
While K-pop idols like TWICE’s Jihyo and BLACKPINK’s Rosé have faced scrutiny for their weight — whether perceived as too heavy or too thin — PSY’s case is unique in that he’s being criticized for not being heavy enough.
The intense focus on his appearance underscores the broader cultural obsession with body image in South Korea, a country known for its high levels of weight stigma and societal expectations around physical presentation.
Studies, such as a 2019 survey from the Korean Study of Women’s Health Related Issues, have shown that many Korean women misjudge their own weight due to these pressures, a trend that extends to public figures like PSY who are constantly under scrutiny.
For PSY, the weight loss controversy is a stark contrast to past scandals, such as his 2012 apology for anti-American lyrics from a 2004 performance, where he expressed regret for “inflammatory” language amid global backlash.
This time, however, the issue is far less serious but reveals the evolving dynamics of celebrity-fan relationships in the age of social media. By choosing to engage directly with fans and offer apologies with a touch of humor, PSY has pioneered a new anti-crisis PR strategy that prioritizes transparency and fan interaction over traditional damage control.
As he prepares for his next chapter — including a rumored role in Apple TV+’s K-pop competition series KPopped alongside Megan Thee Stallion — PSY’s ability to navigate this controversy with grace and wit may well set a precedent for how Korean celebrities handle public criticism in the future.
