Female celebrities including Hey Jini and Lee Chae-yeon are leading a new trend in the entertainment industry: openly discussing hair loss and hair transplant procedures—a phenomenon now known as “talming-out,” a blend of the Korean word for hair loss and “coming out.”
Hair transplant surgery generally falls into two categories: strip (incisional) and non-incisional methods. Each method differs in procedure time, scarring potential, and recovery requirements. Specialists emphasize that postoperative care is as crucial as the surgery itself for ensuring graft survival.
Hey Jini: From Stage Performances to a Hairline Transformation
Kids’ content creator Hey Jini, dubbed the “children’s president” for her popularity among young audiences with over 4.1 million subscribers, recently revealed on her YouTube channel that she had undergone a hair transplant.
She explained that years of tightly pulling her hair back for children’s musicals and spraying it while drenched in sweat severely damaged her hairline. After giving birth, she said her top priority became addressing the issue.
“Initially, I was scared of the sedation and the pain, but the real challenge was spraying saline every 15 to 30 minutes for three days,” Hey Jini shared. Posting a selfie three days after surgery, she added, “I’m really satisfied and looking forward to seeing the results in a year.”
Lee Chae-yeon: A Stage Mishap Sparks Hair Transplant Decision
Singer and idol Lee Chae-yeon, known for her powerful performances, decided on a hair transplant after a memorable stage incident. During a performance, water poured over her head, causing her hair concealer to streak down her forehead—a moment captured on camera.
Following the mishap, Lee opted for 3,571 grafts. On a TV appearance, she candidly shared her experience, saying that rather than worrying about her idol image, she chose transparency. Fans praised her decision, noting her newfound confidence.
Go Eun-ah: Achieving a Lifelong Hair Goal
Actor Go Eun-ah also shared her hair transplant journey, undergoing approximately 3,000 grafts. On her family-run YouTube channel, she documented every step from consultation to post-surgery recovery.
“My younger brother had a transplant first and recommended it to me. Wearing my hair slicked back has always been a dream, and this was one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Go Eun-ah said. She emphasized the importance of patience, noting that the initial days after surgery do not reflect the final results.
Kian84: Combating Hereditary Hair Loss
Webtoon artist and TV personality Kian84 revealed that he has been battling hereditary hair loss, which affected multiple generations of his family. He underwent a transplant of around 700 grafts while also using medication and traditional remedies, such as ground beans, to promote hair growth.
Understanding Hair Transplant Methods
Hair transplant techniques are broadly classified into strip (incisional) and non-incisional procedures:
- Strip method: A section of scalp is removed, dissected into follicular units, and transplanted. It allows a large number of grafts at once but can leave a scar. Comedian Oh Ji-heon noted it even has a mild face-lifting effect.
- Non-incisional method: Individual follicular units are harvested without cutting a scalp strip. This method leaves minimal scarring and is ideal for those who need a quick return to public appearances, though it takes longer and can be more expensive.
Specialists stress the importance of personalized consultations to determine the most suitable method for each individual.
Postoperative Care: Key to Successful Results
Post-surgery care plays a critical role in graft survival. Patients must avoid touching or scratching the transplanted area, keep it moisturized (as Hey Jini did with saline sprays), and abstain from alcohol, smoking, intense exercise, and saunas for at least a month.
Experts say celebrities’ openness about hair loss is helping dismantle societal stigma. Once dismissed as “just genetics,” hair loss is increasingly recognized as a treatable condition through proactive management.
A Fuller Second Life Through Surgery and Patience
The experiences of these stars highlight that successful hair restoration requires not only surgery but also consistent follow-up care, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Their transparency is inspiring fans and the public to approach hair loss confidently and proactively.
