Recently, Shinhwa’s Eric went viral for his unrecognizable transformation.
Eric
As one of the original heartthrobs of the nation, Eric’s enviable visuals have always been a hot topic among netizens. But in a recent photo, he appeared to have gained weight and looked rather laid-back than how the public is used to seeing him.
| Wikitree
This brought on quite a lot of rude comments from netizens, as well as some genuinely surprised ones from his fans. While many defended Eric against the unpleasant comments, there were also concerns about his health.
As speculations started making rounds online, some of Eric’s acquaintances came forward to respond. On December 15, an entertainment official close to the idol told the media outlet OSEN, “I met Eric recently, he has no health issues. It’s not true at all.”
Eric in 2016
Another acquaintance told the media, “Eric is simply focusing on his marriage for now. As far as I know, Eric has said he has no intentions of participating in any projects or other activities as a celebrity.”
As it turns out, Eric is simply enjoying his life away from the spotlight right now, and his physical changes are a normal result of his lifestyle change. The first-generation idol debuted with Shinhwa before making a successful transition into acting. Eric has starred in hit K-Dramas, Another Miss Oh, The Spy Who Loved Me, and Pheonix. The actor married his wife Na Hye Mi in 2017.
Eric with Na Hye Mi (left)
Despite being at the forefront of popularity, Eric has never shied away from showing his unfiltered self with fans. In 2021, he even took to his Instagram and shared that he had shaved off his hair after being tired of “dying [his] hair every 2 weeks.” Read more about it here.
| @muneric/Instagram
