Oli London spent $250K on reconstructive facial surgeries in an attempt to look like Park Jimin from Korean boy band BTS.
British influencer, Oli London - who recently revealed they identify as non-binary - is copping a lot of backlash after undergoing 18 extensive facial procedures to look more Korean.
My TRANSition story & how I became KOREAN🇰🇷 https://t.co/8QSPTDOVgY 💙💜💛💚🖤🧡 #olilondon pic.twitter.com/KwBrUO2GcS
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 26, 2021
London has defended their 'racial transitional surgeries' on his socials, explaining that they identify as Korean.
"I identify with the Korean community, maybe they will accept me more now because I have 'the look.' Maybe people will think I'm actually Korean, which will make me really happy. They can see how much I love their culture. This is the extreme length that I have gone to because I love Korea so much."
The 31 year-old social media star allegedly underwent a facelift, brow lift, temple lift, eye surgery and a teeth procedure in an attempt to 'transition' into their idol Park Jimin, known best for being a member of internationally renowned boy band BTS.
"Jimin is my ultimate idol and I want him to be proud. I'm sure he'll be proud that I look exactly like him now. I have his eyes. I finally have Jimin's Korean eyes and they're so, so beautiful. I'm so, so happy with my new look and I can't wait to see the final results when all the swelling goes down."
Oli London explained to their Youtube followers, "I don't feel I identify as male or female. I just feel like I'm just in the middle and my pronouns are they/them, Korean/Jimin."
"I know a lot of people don't understand me, but I do identify as Korean, and I do look Korean now. I do feel Korean," London continued. "I don't identify as British, so please don't... refer to me as British, because I identify as Korean."
"I know it's a little bit confusing for some people. Nobody's ever come out as Jimin or Korean, but this is something that you guys know if you've followed my journey for the last eight years."
As expected, the social sphere has erupted with criticism with many accusing the influencer of radical cultural appropriation.
There's a difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreaciation. I respect you being non-binary and using they/them pronouns but it is NOT olay to identify as another race. I know a lot of white people trying to identify as being black but in the end, they are +
— C.Storm °¬° BUTTER💛 (@Js_Tailor) June 29, 2021
Funny u should say that, bc I went to the zoo the other day now I'm a koala
— 🕊 (@fruityymieaa) June 27, 2021
I'm all for people making themselves comfortable in their own skin, but this is too far pic.twitter.com/Y28MkVuKVd
— Better Than Bigots (@ThatDamNic) June 28, 2021
as a Korean nonbinary person, I haven’t really talked about the Oli London thing. But, the fact that they are acting like it’s genuine and that it’s part of a “journey” due to a “identity issues” really irks me. It’s a mockery of trans people, it’s cultural appropriation. +
— 아빠 ☽☾ shiny era (@harbingerslut) June 28, 2021
Check out the full video of Oli London's reveal vlog below.