The Famous Korean Idol Who Admitted To Developing Anorexia Due To The Strict Kpop Beauty Standards
MAMAMOO’s Hwasa revealed that she developed anorexia during her trainee days due to extreme dieting pressures.
On SBS’s Bodymentary – Confessions About Fat, prominent female stars like Kim Wan Sun, Soyou, Jun Hyo Sung, Han Seung Yeon, and Hwasa shared candid stories about being judged for their appearance and weight throughout their careers, shedding light on the hidden struggles of the entertainment industry.
Hwasa recalled, “We had to weigh ourselves every day when we came to the practice room. The weights of all the trainees were listed on a chart on the wall in order, and that chart was submitted during monthly evaluations.”
She added, “At the time, I didn’t know what the right way was. Everyone said you had to diet like that to debut, so I just stopped eating altogether. On weigh-in days, my members and I would go to the pharmacy to take laxatives to empty our stomachs.”
Hwasa shared a poignant memory: “I craved black sesame rice cakes so much. I bought one and hid somewhere to eat it in secret. It tasted so amazing that it felt like the world was spinning. But then, guilt and anger overwhelmed me for eating after working so hard to lose weight, and I cried and forced myself to throw up. That led to anorexia.”
She explained how it affected her mental health: “I constantly felt nauseous, my salivary glands were dry, and I became both anorexic and depressed. I realized this wasn’t the way to live.”
Reflecting on society’s beauty standards, Hwasa said, “Unattainable beauty is truly exhausting. No matter how hard you try, some things just can’t be achieved. It made me frustrated and tired.”
She added that she channeled her feelings into her song Maria, saying, “Sadly, nothing has really changed. But people who listened to the song told me it gave them comfort, that they felt more confident because of me. Hearing that made me really happy.”
Hwasa concluded, “The obsession with weight is so tiring. If we all tried to think a little less about it, we could focus on so many other positive things. By taking care of ourselves in that way, I believe we can find a balance in our health.”
Are you shocked by what Hwasa said?
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