While many subscribe to the mantra “thin is in” and then berate themselves for not achieving their unrealistic goals, it is undeniably refreshing to meet a young lady who is taking the internet by storm for defying conventional beauty standards. Eunchae, popularly known as ITSEUNCHAE on social media, has morphed from being a bullied teenager in her native South Korea into a TikTok sensation. ITSEUNCHAE has boldly embraced her unique ‘Anime built’ aesthetics, redefined beauty, and is spreading a powerful message of empowerment and body positivity.
ITSEUNCHAE’s journey began with being fat-shamed by the culture prevalent in her homeland. She was labeled ‘big size’ and endured frequent bullying due to her robust build, tall stature, and darker complexion. Her frame didn’t align with the prevalent Korean beauty ideal of petite, fair-skinned women. During her teen years, she was chastised for her strong, thick legs, scornfully called ‘elephant legs.’
However, ITSEUNCHAE’s move to the United States three years ago marked the beginning of her transformative journey. She discovered that Western culture embraced a broader spectrum of beauty, which contradicted the stringent beauty standards she was accustomed to. This cultural contrast galvanized ITSEUNCHAE to take action and embark on a mission to challenge the toxic beauty standards she grew up with.
ITSEUNCHAE turned to social media as a platform to voice her experiences and incite change. Despite initial resistance and hate messages, she held firm, leveraging her experience to demonstrate the detrimental effects of body shaming. She strategically utilized her internet persona to initiate conversations around the issue, advocating for self-acceptance and body positivity. Her determination to combat this issue and her passion for creating content resulted in her metamorphosis into a TikTok sensation. She is now known widely as the ‘First Thick Asian,’ a title humorously contradicting her actual ‘normal’ body type.
Eunchae’s relatable content and distinctive ‘Korean Chun Li’ persona resonated with millions globally, leading her to viral fame. She has shattered the stereotype of Asian beauty and carved a path for women who don’t fit into the ‘one size fits all’ mold. Her unique approach not only brought her success but has also become a guiding light for young girls struggling with body image issues.
Eunchae’s viral content and impactful messages have amassed a staggering following across her social media platforms. With multiple viral videos garnering over 100 million views, she has also accumulated 1.5 million followers on TikTok and over 500K on her two Instagram accounts, a feat she achieved within two years.
Looking ahead, Eunchae aspires to expand her influence beyond social media. She plans to launch her own clothing line, aiming to cater to a diverse range of body types that conventional brands overlook. Her vision also extends to starting a YouTube channel that documents Korean culture, language, and travel tips. She aims to become a well-known personality associated with Korea, breaking barriers and creating a lasting impact.
Eunchae’s journey highlights how acceptance and resilience can transform perceived flaws into symbols of pride and strength. She went from being a bullied teen to a TikTok icon, proving that beauty transcends societal norms and cultural boundaries. Eunchae, aka ITSEUNCHAE, now stands as a compelling example of how self-love and acceptance can evolve into a revolution that inspires and empowers millions.
