A recent post on Threads has gone viral, racking up hundreds of thousands of views by revisiting legendary baseball game appearances from Irene and Cha Eun-woo.
Neither moment involved elaborate stage productions, expensive concepts, or dramatic lighting. Both stars were simply invited to throw ceremonial first pitches at professional baseball games in South Korea. Yet just a few seconds of screen time was enough to send social media into a frenzy.
Without heavy makeup, performance outfits, or special effects, Irene and Cha Eun-woo effortlessly dominated every frame. Their appearances reignited a long-running discussion in Korean entertainment: can exceptional beauty become powerful enough to transcend criticism, scandals, and debates over talent?
For many observers, Irene and Cha Eun-woo represent the ultimate examples of celebrities whose visuals became cultural phenomena in their own right.
Irene: The “Original Visual” of K-Pop
Born Bae Joo-hyun in 1991, Irene debuted as the leader, center, and visual of Red Velvet under SM Entertainment in 2014.
Over the years, she participated in group promotions, the duo unit Irene & Seulgi, acting projects such as Women at a Game Company and Double Patty, and eventually made her solo debut in late 2024 with the mini-album Like A Flower. However, what transformed Irene into a cultural icon was not necessarily her music or acting. It was her face.
For years, Korean media and international fans have referred to Irene as: “The Original Visual” and “The First Beauty of K-pop”.
Her balanced facial proportions, elegant features, pale complexion, and signature icy aura helped establish one of the most recognizable images in modern K-pop. Even as newer generations of idols emerged, Irene remained a benchmark against which many female celebrities were compared.
Her influence extended beyond entertainment. For years, cosmetic surgery clinics in South Korea reportedly cited Irene as one of the most requested celebrity references among patients seeking facial procedures. What has impressed fans most is how little her appearance has changed over time. Entering her mid-30s, Irene continues to receive praise for maintaining the same distinctive beauty that first captivated audiences over a decade ago.
Yet Irene’s extraordinary appearance has also become a source of criticism. Throughout her career, critics have argued that her visual appeal often overshadowed her artistic contributions.
As Red Velvet’s main rapper, Irene’s rap performances have frequently been criticized by some online commenters, who argue that her delivery relies more on spoken rhythm than technical rap skills. In terms of vocals, she has often been compared unfavorably to fellow members Wendy and Seulgi, who are widely regarded as the group’s strongest singers.
The debate intensified during the launch of Irene & Seulgi in 2020. Some viewers argued that Seulgi carried much of the unit’s performance-heavy responsibilities, while Irene’s primary contribution was her star power and visual appeal. As a result, she was repeatedly labeled a “visual-only idol,” a controversial criticism that persisted for years.
Questions about Irene’s skills were largely subjective, but her 2020 attitude scandal represented a far more serious challenge. A veteran fashion editor publicly accused a female idol of verbally berating and humiliating a staff member for approximately 20 minutes. Industry insiders quickly identified Irene as the individual in question. The Red Velvet star later admitted fault and issued a public apology. The backlash was immediate and severe. The image of Irene as a flawless celebrity collapsed almost overnight. Endorsement deals were affected, and her individual activities were significantly reduced for an extended period.
Only after renewing her contract with SM Entertainment and returning to active promotions in 2024 did she begin rebuilding her public image. Yet even after one of the most damaging scandals of her career, Irene’s popularity never completely disappeared. For many observers, it demonstrated the immense commercial value attached to her iconic visual identity.
Cha Eun-woo: Korea’s “Face Genius”
If Irene became the beauty standard for third-generation female idols, Cha Eun-woo arguably became the male equivalent. Born Lee Dong-min in 1997, Cha Eun-woo debuted with ASTRO in 2016 under Fantagio.
His popularity exploded after transitioning into acting through dramas such as: My ID Is Gangnam Beauty, True Beauty and Wonderfools. By the time he enlisted for military service in July 2025, he had become one of South Korea’s most recognizable celebrities.
Mention Cha Eun-woo in Korea, and one title inevitably follows: “Face Genius.” Unlike stars known for unconventional charm or edgy features, Cha Eun-woo is often described as embodying the ideal Korean beauty standard. Fans and media frequently highlight near-perfect facial proportions, symmetrical features, tall stature, model-like physique and refined public image.
Many people have compared him to a webtoon character brought to life. His appearance helped him become one of Korea’s most sought-after endorsement models, representing luxury brands, fashion labels, and beauty companies. Combined with a reputation for academic achievement and a clean personal image, Cha Eun-woo became one of the industry’s most commercially valuable stars.
Like Irene, Cha Eun-woo has repeatedly faced criticism that his success stems more from appearance than ability. His acting has long divided audiences. Critics argue that he often portrays similar cold, emotionally reserved characters and displays a limited range of facial expressions. The criticism became so widespread that some netizens jokingly coined a phrase suggesting that Cha Eun-woo becomes “more handsome the less he moves his face.”
His singing abilities have also sparked debate. While generally regarded as pleasant and stable, his vocals have rarely been viewed as the defining strength of ASTRO compared to some of the group’s other members.
In early 2026, Cha Eun-woo faced what many considered the most serious controversy of his career. Reports emerged regarding a tax investigation involving approximately 2 billion won (about $1.4 million USD) in additional income tax assessments tied to his earnings structure. The controversy quickly generated intense discussion because tax-related issues are among the most sensitive scandals in South Korea’s entertainment industry. Cha Eun-woo later released a public statement expressing regret and pledging full cooperation with authorities. The incident prompted some brands to reassess their partnerships with the star and marked the first major reputational challenge of his career.
Why Their Popularity Endures
The careers of Irene and Cha Eun-woo reveal a complicated truth about the entertainment industry. Beauty cannot replace talent. Neither star has escaped criticism regarding their professional abilities, and both have faced controversies that threatened their public image. Yet their enduring popularity demonstrates that extraordinary visuals can become a powerful asset of their own. One became known as K-pop’s “Original Visual.” The other became Korea’s most famous “Face Genius.”
Both have experienced public scrutiny, criticism, and scandals. Yet every new photo, video clip, or public appearance continues to dominate online discussions.
Whether admired or criticized, Irene and Cha Eun-woo remain two of the clearest examples of how exceptional visual appeal can shape and sustain a celebrity career in South Korea’s highly competitive entertainment industry.
Sources: K14
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