SHINee’s Taemin sparks cosmetic surgery debate as fans notice change in his appearance

While Taemin has not addressed the rumours, the reactions from his fan base, particularly Shawols and TAEMates, have been mixed, leaning heavily toward disappointment.

SHINee’s Taemin, admired for his looks and clean-cut charm, is now at the center of an unexpected controversy. Following his latest appearance at MusicCore Japan on July 6, fans began speculating that the K-pop star may have undergone cosmetic surgery, particularly on his nose.

Clips from the event, coupled with screenshots from a recent livestream with fellow SHINee member Minho, sparked a flurry of online discussions. Fans noted a visible change in the shape of his nose, with many suggesting that Taemin may have had a rhinoplasty or possibly a non-surgical filler procedure.

While Taemin has not addressed the rumours, the reactions from his fan base, particularly Shawols and TAEMates, have been mixed, leaning heavily toward disappointment. Some expressed dismay, stating that “he ruined his perfect face,” while others compared the alleged change to Michael Jackson's post-surgery look. One common sentiment was that Taemin’s previous appearance was already iconic and didn’t require alteration.

Guys this is him on an instagram live with minho from 2 days ago, it's literally to get a plastic surgery and cicatrise in 2 days, so I think he just got an acid hyaluronic injection (also called non surgical nose job) which is NOT permanent pic.twitter.com/nB4rWweTFU

— Niny (@_niniverse__) July 8, 2025

Taemin's new nose job gains attentionhttps://t.co/ixMHbCO20v pic.twitter.com/TwfLhpkyCQ

— pannchoa (@pannchoa) July 9, 2025

A segment of fans offered alternative explanations, pointing out the impact of makeup, lighting, angles, or even temporary hyaluronic acid fillers, often referred to as a “liquid nose job.” Unlike surgical procedures, these changes are not permanent, and subtle facial alterations can often appear more dramatic under stage lights or high-definition broadcasts.

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Amidst the criticism, many fans and observers came to Taemin’s defense, urging respect for bodily autonomy. They maintained artists should have the freedom to make personal decisions about their appearance without public judgment.