The Realities of Idol Body Standards: Insights from KARA’s Seungyeon
In the competitive world of K-pop, idols are often subjected to rigorous weight standards, and KARA’s Seungyeon has openly addressed her struggles with body image throughout her career. In the documentary SBS Special: Bodymentary – Confessions About Weight, she joins a group of female stars, including Kim Wan Sun, Jeon Hyo Sung, Soyou, and Hwa Sa, to candidly share their experiences.
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During her discussion, Seungyeon revealed the detrimental effects of the so-called “idol standard”weight norms. These standards often adhere to the troubling formula of height in centimeters minus weight in kilograms equaling 120. She admitted that this fixation on numbers was not only unhealthy but had become a deeply ingrained habit that extended beyond her time with KARA, which disbanded in 2016 and reunited for an anniversary comeback in 2022.
Seungyeon elaborated on her obsession with maintaining a specific weight, stating her concerns even extended to medical situations. “I was so preoccupied that I worried about gaining weight from IV fluids in the ER,”she explained, noting that any normal caloric intake was out of the question. Her management company had set her target weight at 48 kilograms (105.8 pounds) for her height of 168 centimeters (5’5”), which she felt could only be achieved through severe dietary restriction.
Shared Experiences in the Idol World
Her fellow stars echoed similar sentiments. Jeon Hyo Sung, who is both a singer and an actress, shared, “My body is an integral part of my public identity.”She recounted the pressures of maintaining her image, admitting that her life goal became centered around preserving the love she received for her appearance. To achieve her desired figure, she frequently opted for constrictive shapewear and high heels that caused her physical discomfort.
Seungyeon identified with Hyo Sung’s experience, emphasizing the painful sacrifices required by idol fashion. “To wear low-rise pants and crop tops, even a hint of a stomach was considered unacceptable,” she commented, revealing that she once fainted due to extreme weight loss, which led to a chronic health condition. This illustrates the serious toll such pressures can take on an individual’s well-being.
Kim Wan Sun, an icon from the 1980s often referred to as the “Korean Madonna,”shared her own harrowing experiences. She emphasized the exhausting demands of the entertainment industry, recalling a time when she had to perform shortly after a serious car accident. “Often, I would manage to squeeze in just a biscuit or ice cream before going on stage,”she lamented, while her colleagues expressed their concerns by wishing to see her eat a proper meal.
Upcoming Documentary and Broader Implications
This poignant discussion will be featured in the upcoming episode of SBS’s Bodymentary – Confessions About Weight, set to air on December 8. The documentary aims to shine a light on the intense pressure faced by idols and encourages a broader conversation about mental health, body positivity, and the unrealistic standards often set in the entertainment industry.
For those interested in the realities of idol life, this documentary promises to provide a rare glimpse into the challenges many stars face behind the glitz and glamour.
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