For many of us, returning to the salon after months (or even years) of hair recovery feels like a fresh start. But for South Korean DJ and beauty personality Soda, what began as a highly anticipated hair transformation turned into a traumatic experience that left her half-bald and emotionally shaken.
Despite going back to her usual salon in Korea, one she had trusted for years, Soda experienced a bleach mishap so severe that it caused extensive breakage and chemical burns on her scalp.
She has since had to shave the entire back and sides of her head, and is now using what’s left of her hair to conceal the damage.
A Three-Year Break Undone in One Appointment
After taking a long hiatus from intentional hair treatments to nurse her hair back to health, Soda returned to the salon, hoping to make a bold blonde comeback. Her hair was thick, healthy, and prepped for a transformation—or so she thought.
Unfortunately, the bleaching process went awry. The bleach was left on for too long, causing the hair to melt from the roots. The damage was so extensive that large patches of hair began falling out daily, leading to partial shaving of her head.
Salon Director Addresses The Situation
After DJ Soda publicly shared her distressing experience with a bleach mishap, the salon responded by offering ₩5 million (~S$4,686.87) in compensation, along with a list of hospitals they recommended for her treatment.
However, the salon’s hospital options were inadequate, and she requested a list of independently monitored medical facilities instead. Despite repeated requests, the salon delayed providing this information and avoided giving clear answers, asking instead to “meet and talk first,” which stalled the process.
Tensions escalated when the salon’s director confronted Soda’s management team, denying any wrongdoing and accusing them of poor communication. He claimed the salon had maintained contact and suggested there was already an agreement, while also pointing to Soda’s public post as a provocation.
In reality, Soda had not received a direct apology or meaningful communication from the salon’s staff for over three weeks. Attempts to arrange a meeting to resolve the situation went unanswered, and the salon blamed her for the communication breakdown.
Long-Term Emotional and Physical Impact
Beyond the physical damage, the experience took an emotional toll on Soda. As someone constantly in the public eye, she struggled with the anxiety of showing up to events and facing cameras while dealing with such visible hair loss.
Weeks on, her hair continues to fall out—even during major appearances—and with most strands barely reaching a few millimetres in length, extensions aren’t a viable solution at that point.
She’s now facing an estimated two-year journey to full hair regrowth.
A Call to Be More Cautious, Even at Your Regular Salon
Soda’s experience sheds light on a hard truth: even at trusted salons, bleach mishaps can happen. Hair bleaching is a chemical process that requires careful timing, scalp sensitivity awareness, and proper technique.
And sometimes, hair that appears healthy on the surface may still react unpredictably to bleach—especially after years of colouring history.
This incident serves as a reminder to:
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Always consult a colourist who specialises in bleaching
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Never ignore physical discomfort during a treatment
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Understand that your scalp’s tolerance can change over time
Soda has since urged others to do their research and approach bleaching with caution. While her experience was deeply personal, she’s chosen to share it in the hope of preventing similar situations for others.
All images: @deejaysoda/Instagram
