The visual standards for K-Pop idols are a much-talked-about territory, even outside the industry. A lot of the time, idols suffer behind the scenes to look their best on camera, and much of it happens while their fans are clueless about this struggle.
Recently, an interview with KARA member and actress Han Seungyeon resurfaced on Korean online forums, where she talked about getting a “reality check” after receiving praise for her beauty while she was severely unhealthy.
Seungyeon | @thesy88/Instagram
In the 2021 interview, the idol-turned-actress shed light on how her lifestyle changed drastically after making the career jump from being an idol to an actress. She confessed that being an idol entailed following such a strict regime that made her feel inhumane. Seungyeon mentioned that she could neither eat nor sleep properly and would get IVs or injections if she got tired or sick.
I lived only for the stage, without considering my physical condition or mental health at all. I wore tight-fitting clothes 365 days a year. During “Mr.” the stage costumes were as big as the palm of your hand. My first meal would be a small piece of chocolate at 10 pm.
—Han Seungyeon
Aside from these intense living conditions, Sungyeon also mentioned a particular period of her idol life when she realized exactly how impossible such standards were. In 2014, when KARA was promoting “Mamma Mia,” the idol was at her lowest weight ever. Though she never thought herself to be overweight, the increased number of compliments she received at that time while being at her most unhealthy lifestyle served as a wake-up call.
I wasn’t too heavy at that time. But after many people complimented me about how pretty I was, I got a reality check.
—Han Seungyeon
She admitted that though her body was looking “pretty” from the outside at that time, her insides were completely in shambles.
My weekly carbohydrate intake was very low. It was around 10 sheets of rice paper. Though I had a pretty body, later my skin started to deteriorate and my allergies started getting worse. I ran around in heels all day, so I had bad ankle bokes.
—Han Seungyeon
A netizen compiled some of the most iconic looks by Han Sungyeon during her “Mamma Mia” era, along with an excerpt from the old interview on TheQoo on February 20, KST.
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The post quickly went viral, with many regretting that they praised her “beauty” during that time without knowing the struggles she went through to have a body like that.
| theqoo “Idols’ body standards are becoming really similar to models.” “She must have already hurt because she couldn’t eat. In this situation, if everyone calls you pretty, it does feel a little weird.” “You worked hard TT TT” “TTTTTTTTTTTT! “It must have been difficult.” “No, but even now it is normal for female idols to look that skinny. I guess they want idols to be as skinny as possible.”
