Female K-pop stars are often lauded for their enviable figure and visuals, on top of their skills. However, not all idols are naturally slim, making them work 10 times more to attain the "ant waist" body standard in K-pop.
Here's the Sad & Harsh Reality on How Idols Were Pushed to Do Extreme Diet to Achieve Slim Body:
1. Uee
Uee, a former After School member, is the epitome of healthy beauty among idols. However, during her debut days, she also became a victim of body-shaming.
In particular, when she once wore a crop top in performance, and the idol back then was embroiled in a "controversy over belly fat."
Since then, Uee confessed she had to eat one meal a day for EIGHT years just to match idols' beauty standards.
2. LABOUM
In the past, LABOUM members revealed that they only ate vegetable-oriented lunch boxes per meal comprised of 300 calories.
In a day, an average woman should have 2,500 calories intake; but the group barely had a thousand.
To comfort themselves, they were even singing songs with lyrics, "I'm full, I'm full" when they were still feeling hungry.
When asked if they rather have a pretty face or body that doesn't gain weight, Solbin prefers the latter, expressing stress on her weight.
3. Apink
In a broadcast, Apink also recalled their harsh diet under the supervision of the company.
According to the members, they were only allowed to eat a cup of chicken breast and salad grass without sauce or dip.
ALSO READ: Apink Bomi's Anecdote on Extreme Diet's Side Effect Resurfaced: 'I feel like ants were crawling in my body'
When eating desserts like shaved ice (Bingsu), the members confessed that they only ate the ice and fruits, excluding other toppings.
Due to this, they even have to eat inside the bathroom to eat chicken, sneaking from their manager as if eating is a "huge sin."
4. Oh My Girl Seung Hee
In a beauty program, Oh My Girl Seung Hee confessed she became insecure about her body after seeing her stomach popping out of her outfit.
Due to this, Seung Hee recalled how she only ate apples and konjac jelly in fear of having belly fat during broadcasts. She also decided to lose more weight by eating palm-sized chicken breast and half serving.
5. IU
Even K-pop superstar IU experienced the harsh body standard of the entertainment scene that she even suffered dietary disorder in the past.
After years of dieting, IU confessed she became bulimic, filling her empty heart with food until she vomits. She was treated at the hospital.
She also expressed in the past that to maintain her body, she would only eat protein supplements and two sweet potatoes.
Who would ever forget her infamous "one apple for a meal" extreme diet? After experiencing the eating disorder, IU warned her fans to never do the same.
READ MORE: IU, Soyou, and Uee: Stars Reveal the Danger and Side Effects of Following K-pop Idols' Extreme Diet Plans
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Written by Eunice Dawson
