"I Spent 240 Million Won on Plastic Surgery Alone, and Now This" Japanese Influencer Who Lived in a 200,000-Won Studio Becomes Netflix Actress

Japanese Influencer Rose to Fame by Sharing Before-and-After Plastic Surgery Photos
Also Makes a Special Appearance in a Netflix Drama

A famous Japanese influencer who spent hundreds of millions of won on plastic surgery and transformed her appearance has taken on a new challenge as an actress, appearing in a Netflix drama. She endured difficult times as a child because of insecurities about her appearance and bullying by those around her, and spent eight years juggling various jobs to save up for surgery. After becoming famous for sharing before-and-after photos, she went on to appear in a drama based on her own experiences.

Japanese influencer Hirase Airi, 29. X (formerly Twitter)

According to recent reports by Japanese media outlets, including Nishi Nippon Sports, model and influencer Hirase Airi, 29, shared photos on X (formerly Twitter) along with a post that read, "Even I, who spent 27.5 million yen (about 237 million won) on plastic surgery, appeared in the Netflix series Downtime." The photos showed her wearing glasses as a child alongside her changed appearance after plastic surgery.

Hirase made a special appearance in the third episode of the Japanese Netflix original drama Downtime. The series follows an emergency surgeon who enters the cosmetic surgery industry and explores the world of plastic surgery and people's desire for beauty. She is said to have taken part in the production based on her own experience with plastic surgery.

Japanese influencer Hirase Airi, 29, appeared in the Netflix series Downtime. X (formerly Twitter)

Insecurities about her appearance led her to choose plastic surgery... Juggled two jobs for eight years

Hirase's decision to spend a large sum on plastic surgery stemmed from insecurities about her appearance that had persisted since childhood. She was often criticized or teased about her looks by family and people around her. Believing that achieving her ideal appearance would help her regain her confidence, she decided to undergo plastic surgery. "My mother constantly criticized my appearance," she said. "I think my first eye surgery in high school gave me confidence."

Saving up for the procedures was not easy. From age 16, Hirase spent eight years working both as a mover and in security. She saved money for plastic surgery while living in a studio apartment with a monthly rent of 23,000 yen (198,000 won). In 2024, she said she had spent more than 20 million yen on plastic surgery; the total she later disclosed reached 27.5 million yen.

She has also expressed satisfaction with the results of her plastic surgery, saying, "It changed my life."

Photos from before plastic surgery (2019) and from 2024, shared on Airi Hirase's official account.

Rose to fame with before-and-after photos

Hirase did not share old photos simply to show how her appearance had changed after plastic surgery. She wanted to encourage people who, like her, were struggling with insecurities about their looks.

In a previous interview, she said she became famous after sharing her plastic surgery experience on social media and posting photos from before and after her procedures. She said she received far more attention than expected, including interview requests and offers to appear on television. Her Instagram account now has 990,000 followers.

At the time, Hirase said, "I wanted to encourage people who are worried about their appearance, like I was," adding, "I hope they will be able to try something to address their concerns." She also said she had not planned anything in particular after becoming famous, but that more opportunities came her way than she expected.

The so-called "real downtime" photos she shared this time also drew a range of reactions. Social media users left comments such as, "It looks so painful," "It looks tough just looking at it," and "Her determination to overcome it is amazing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.