Nana’s lip filler controversy in Netflix’s The Scandal: What makes lips look overfilled?

Lim Jin-a, better known by her stage name Nana, has addressed criticism over the appearance of her lips in Netflix’s The Scandal, with some viewers speculating that she had undergone lip filler or a lip flip.

The South Korean actress and former member of girl group After School plays Hui-yeon, a Joseon-era widow, in the eight-part series, which reimagines Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ French novel Dangerous Liaisons. The story was previously adapted into the 2003 South Korean film Untold Scandal.

Following the series’ premiere, some viewers felt that Nana’s fuller-looking lips appeared at odds with the historical setting and made it harder to become immersed in her character. However, it has not been confirmed what, if any, aesthetic treatment Nana may have had.

Taking to the private messaging service Bubble, Nana responded to the controversy.

“If my lips made viewers uncomfortable, then that was my fault. I think it was a personal choice that wasn’t the right one for me as an actor,” Nana wrote.

While lip filler and lip flips, like other aesthetic procedures, are deeply personal choices, there are certain visual signs that can make lip augmentation appear less natural or overfilled.

According to Dr Rachel Ho, medical director and founder of The Skin Longevity Clinic, “lip proportions, contour and movement” can become distorted when lip augmentation is overdone, resulting in an unnatural or overfilled appearance.

“These can be due to injection technique, dose or volume and product choice,” she explains. “For example, overfilling, superficial injections that obliterate anatomic landmarks instead of restoring structural (deep labial fat) support, and poor product selection (viscoelasticity and cohesivity mismatched to the lip’s constant mechanical deformation).”

What can make lips look overfilled?

Dr Ho says some signs of distorted lip anatomy include:

Disproportionate fullness: Too much filler can disrupt the upper-to-lower lip ratio and the relationship between the lips and chin.

Loss of anatomical landmarks: The Cupid’s bow, vermilion border and other perioral subunits may become less defined.

A ridge above the lips: Filler may create a visible fullness above the natural lip border.

Obvious lumps: Uneven or palpable areas of filler can affect the appearance of the lips.

Distorted shape: The lips may appear to roll outward, sometimes described as “sausage lips”.

Stiff or unnatural movement: Excessive filler can affect how the lips move during speech or smiling.

The amount and type of filler used, as well as where and how it is injected, can all influence the final result. Dr Ho notes that lip filler can be used to address several different concerns, including hydration, volume, projection, definition and contouring.

The shift towards a more subtle look

Dr Ho says she has noticed a shift away from the more obviously enhanced, “frozen” Instagram aesthetic towards subtler, less detectable enhancements.

She has also seen more consultations for prejuvenation, skin longevity and collagen-supporting treatments intended to improve structural support and skin quality.

At the same time, she says some patients have become more cautious about dermal fillers, partly because of the negative reputation fillers have acquired, and are increasingly receptive to alternatives such as collagen biostimulators, skin boosters and energy-based devices for lifting.

What does “fuller” actually mean?

Before deciding what constitutes a natural-looking result, Dr Ho says she first clarifies what the patient means when they ask for “fuller” lips.

“Fuller” can mean different things to different people. One patient may want more overall volume, while another may want greater definition, projection or a more visible upper lip when smiling.

Clarifying this distinction can help determine which treatment, if any, is appropriate.

Other factors to consider include a person’s baseline lip anatomy, ethnicity and history of previous lip augmentation.

“A conservative approach requires careful placement of lip filler or Botox for conservative treatment of the patient’s lips, with a result that is harmonious with their facial features and appropriate for the ethnicity,” says Dr Ho.

Lip flip vs lip filler: What’s the difference?

A lip flip and lip filler are not interchangeable treatments.

A lip flip uses small amounts of botulinum toxin injected into the orbicularis oris muscle around the mouth to relax the muscle and allow the upper lip to evert, making more of the lip visible. It does not add volume to the lips.

A lip filler, on the other hand, is an injectable treatment that can add volume and alter the shape or contour of the lips. Depending on placement, it can also enhance definition, projection or symmetry.

Dr Ho says a lip flip may be considered for patients who want to minimise the appearance of the upper lip rolling inwards when smiling or talking, whereas filler may be more appropriate when the goal is to add volume, hydration, projection or definition.

Be specific about what you want

Ultimately, achieving a natural-looking result starts with a detailed consultation.

Rather than simply asking for “a bit more” or something that looks “natural”, Dr Ho recommends being specific about what you would like to change and, equally importantly, what you want to preserve.

For example, a patient might want slightly more definition along the lip border while maintaining their existing proportions, or a more visible upper lip when smiling without adding significant volume.

After all, “natural” can mean very different things to different people. Being clear about the features you want to enhance, as well as those you want to retain, can help ensure that the treatment plan is aligned with your expectations.