Lee Hye-young's Dog Makeup Sparks Controversy

Lee Hye-young, a broadcaster and artist formerly of the group Roola, has been embroiled in animal cruelty controversy after posting a video of her dog with what appeared to be makeup on its face. Lee Hye-young uploaded a video of her daily life with her pet dog on her social media service (SNS) on the 25th. In the video, the dog's eyes, nose, mouth, and cheeks appeared to have colored makeup on them, leading to criticism.

Regarding the video, one netizen pointed out, "In the country where I live, posting a video like that would be criticized as 'Animal Cruelty' rather than cute," and other reactions followed, criticizing Lee Hye-young's actions, stating, "Abuse isn't just hitting or not feeding."

Veterinary experts point out that applying human cosmetics directly to a dog's face, especially around the eyes, can cause direct harm. A dog's cornea is sensitive to foreign substances and chemical ingredients, which can lead to conjunctivitis or corneal ulcers. In Lee Hye-young's case, applying mascara around the dog's eyes was specifically identified as problematic.

In a similar case, Brooklyn Beckham, the eldest son of David Beckham, and his wife Nicola Peltz were embroiled in international animal cruelty controversy in September 2024 after posting a video of their dog with its face and body dyed pink. At the time, experts warned that dogs' skin is close to neutral and easily susceptible to chemical infections, and that if the dog licked its fur, toxins could be absorbed into its body.

While some suggested it might have been a simple performance or done in a safe manner, the controversy is not easily subsiding given that the actions were directed at a pet. Experts cautioned that heavy metals, artificial colors, and fragrances that can be included in lipstick and colored products can negatively affect a dog's health.