SHINee Onew and the 'Tofu Face' Aesthetic in K-Pop

In Korean entertainment, there's a current buzz around the "Tofu Face" (두부상) aesthetic, a term describing a clean, pure, and gentle image. This has led to discussions about who truly embodies this look, with SHINee's Onew widely recognized as a definitive example, making the term publicly known through his association.

The "Tofu Face" aesthetic is characterized by fair skin, a defined nose and jawline, and large monolid or inner-monolid eyes, conveying a neat and pure overall impression. This term was initially an affectionate nickname given by fans to Onew, which later found its way into song lyrics. Other celebrities like Song Joong-ki and Park Bo-young are also recognized for this look, with actors such as Park Hae-il, Jung Hae-in, and Jang Dong-yoon following a similar lineage.

Bloggers emphasize that Onew's "Tofu" nickname extends beyond his appearance to reflect his gentle and soft personality. This perception is reinforced by anecdotes of his considerate behavior, such as greeting staff first and looking out for fans during concerts. Even when an incident arose concerning an alleged illegal medical practitioner, his agency clarified Onew's visit in 2022 was for legitimate skin care, and bloggers highlighted his consistent good character and quiet charitable activities, like donating to children with heart disease.