Lee Si An, a former Idol School and PRODUCE 48 contestant who later gained global attention through Netflix’s dating show Single’s Inferno, has unexpectedly found herself at the center of a heated beauty controversy. A recent video in which she demonstrated the effects of a popular “tone-up cream” quickly went viral, reigniting long-standing debates over skin tone, beauty standards, and accusations of “whitewashing” in K-pop.

Tone-up creams also known in the past as whitening or CC creams are cosmetic products designed to instantly brighten the skin. While they have existed for years, their widespread use among K-pop idols, not just on the face but across the entire body, has increasingly drawn scrutiny. Many see them as a staple of idol styling, while others criticize what they believe is an unhealthy obsession with extreme paleness.

In her video, Lee Si An openly explained why tone-up products are part of her daily makeup routine. She said she prefers an especially bright complexion and feels the need to match her face, neck, and hands so that her skin tone appears even on camera. According to her, blending the neck and hands is “essential,” particularly for women who are often filmed under strong lighting.

To demonstrate, Lee Si An tested two different tone-up products on her arm, noting that they are commonly used not only by herself but also by fellow cast members and professional makeup artists. One product, a spray-type tone-up, was described as a go-to item during Single’s Inferno filming because of its convenience. The other, a cream frequently used at her makeup studio, becomes progressively lighter with each layer while remaining moisturizing and setting into a matte finish. She also mentioned applying it to areas such as knees and underarms for overall tone consistency.

The visual contrast was striking: after blending, her arms appeared noticeably different in color, a transformation that immediately caught viewers’ attention. Clips and screenshots spread rapidly across online communities, especially on Korean forums, where hundreds of comments poured in within hours.

Reactions were sharply divided. Some netizens argued that tone-up creams are simply another form of makeup and a matter of personal preference, no different from choosing certain foundation shades or makeup styles. Others, however, criticized the trend as reinforcing unrealistic and exclusionary beauty standards, labeling it as a form of whitewashing. The debate extended beyond Lee Si An herself, with commenters noting that many idols rumored to be “naturally pale” may also rely heavily on such products.

While some viewers expressed curiosity or even fascination at how seamlessly the cream matched her facial skin tone, others questioned the practicality of using such products daily, wondering whether they rub off on clothes or dry out the skin. A number of commenters also reflected on Korea’s long cultural history of favoring fair skin, arguing that it differs from Western concepts of race-based whitewashing, while critics countered that tradition does not excuse extreme or harmful beauty ideals.

As discussions continue to spread across social media, Lee Si An’s video has become more than just a beauty demonstration. It has turned into a flashpoint conversation about K-pop aesthetics, cultural preferences, and the global scrutiny faced by Korean celebrities in an increasingly international spotlight.

Sources: Koreaboo