Why 1990s Korean TV Banned Blonde Hair on Idol Shows

In 1999, Bada, the lead vocalist of the girl group S.E.S., chose to bleach her hair a striking shade of blonde for the promotion of the group’s third album, Love.

The decision immediately ran afoul of the three major terrestrial broadcasters—KBS, MBC and SBS—who, according to contemporary reports, imposed restrictions on the group’s appearances because of the unnatural hue.

At that time, Korean broadcast policy treated unnaturally light or heavily dyed hairstyles as symbols of rebellion, fearing they could serve as a ‘bad influence’ on the teenage viewers who comprised the bulk of the audience.

Consequently, S.E.S. was barred from performing on the leading music programs unless Bada concealed her hair, which limited the group’s ability to showcase the mature image that SM Entertainment had envisioned for the album.

In later years, the strict hair‑color rules gradually relaxed; unconventional and vivid hair colors eventually became common among Korean celebrities, and the earlier bans were largely forgotten.

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