Female K-pop idols reveal struggles with extreme dieting in documentary

Solo artist and Mamamoo member Hwasa. Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Bodymentary

Female K-pop idols opened up about the severe pressure of extreme dieting and societal beauty standards in the SBS documentary “Bodymentary,” which aired Sunday, Dec. 29. From legendary artist Kim Wan-sun to Hwasa of Mamamoo, female artists spoke about health issues and the emotional struggles that had long been hidden behind the K-pop industry’s glamorous facade.

Soyou, a member of the 2010s popular girl group Sistar, revealed the relentless pressure she faced during her trainee days in her interview for the show.

“I had to weigh myself daily and was constantly judged. At one point, I collapsed on the street from sudden weight loss and was rushed to the emergency room,” she said.

Despite receiving intravenous fluids as a quick treatment, her anxiety about gaining weight persisted — leading her to develop panic disorder.

One particularly harsh standard she described was the “height minus 120” formula, an unrealistic expectation where a female idol’s weight should equal their height in centimeters minus 120.

“This calculation followed us like a rule, leaving us obsessing over numbers,” Soyou said.

Jeon Hyo-sung, a member of the K-pop girl group Secret, struggled with binge eating and intense fasting, which she reflected on her career when she weighed around 50 kilograms. “I felt like I wasn’t fulfilling my professional duties,” she said. The singer recalled the emotional burden of maintaining an idealized image.

Mamamoo member Hwasa, known for challenging conventional beauty norms in the K-pop industry, also discussed the backlash she faced during her debut. She recalled fans’ petition urging her removal from the group due to her appearance.

“Back then, the beauty standards were incredibly rigid. It felt like an inescapable part of being an idol,” she said. “I once secretly ate a black sesame rice cake and felt such guilt that I vomited. This led to anorexia and depression.”

Hwasa opens up about her diet struggles in upcoming SBS show

“I’m sick of it, really… I took medicine and lost all my thighs. It felt like my unique charm just disappeared… Guilt, anger. all the emotions came rushing back.” pic.twitter.com/HB0jevSIpi

— HWASA 화사 (@ahnmariahwasa) November 26, 2024

Han Seung-yeon, a member of 2010’s popular girl group Kara, recounted the extreme measures she took during promotions for the group’s hit song “Mister.” Members had to wear low-rise pants and crop tops for the performances.

“I barely drank water for months during our activities (for Mister, then). Eventually, I became so thin that I fainted,” Han said.

Han suffered from a rash of an unknown cause, which took seven years to heal. She also had patulous eustachian tube syndrome, a rare condition caused by excessive weight loss that impaired her ear pressure regulation.

Even Kim Wan-sun, a pop icon of the late 1980s, was not spared. She described how a serious car accident caused her to lose 4 to 5 kilograms overnight, weight she kept off for 15 years after receiving praise for her slender figure.

National Health Insurance Service statistics released last July showed a 97.5 percent increase in anorexia cases among women under 20 from 2018 to 2022.