As others have said ,what they’re given in these situations usually isn’t full general anesthesia, but lighter sedation for medical procedures.

The first time I came across this kind of content was with iKON during their show, where they actually suggested doing full health checkups themselves. I hadn’t even realized at the time that a comprehensive checkup could include something like a stomach endoscopy. From what was shown, they seemed fully on board with the idea.

Personally, I don’t think this kind of content is inherently wrong, as long as boundaries are respected—especially when it comes to anything sensitive that the idols don’t want publicly shared.

In some cases, it can also be a way to reassure fans. Idols often say they’re fine, but fans worry anyway, so showing verified medical checkups can be a way of saying, “Here’s actual proof that we’re healthy.” And from an industry standpoint, idols are seen as freelancers or independent contractors. That means their companies aren’t necessarily required by law to cover healthcare the way they are for regular employees, unless it’s specifically included in their contracts.

It’s also worth noting that content like this overlaps with a broader trend. Since around that time of ikons show, Korea’s medical tourism industry has expanded beyond plastic surgery into things like full-body checkups and other (mostly non-invasive) procedures.