Han Seung-yeon Discusses Chronic Illness Linked to Body Image Obsession: “I Collapsed After Losing 4kg”

SBS Special Documentary “Bodymentary – Confessions About Weight”Set to Air

Mark your calendars for December 8, as SBS is set to unveil a compelling documentary titled “Bodymentary – Confessions About Weight.” This special features five renowned female artists, each representing a different era in music and pop culture, as they bravely confront their personal challenges with body image.

Unveiling Hidden Struggles

What revelations did these once-celebrated icons come to terms with after experiencing their lowest points? Their stories are a poignant reminder of how societal pressures have affected their journeys of self-acceptance and recovery.

Personal Journeys of Starved Aspirations

Soyou shared her harrowing experience stating, “My agency set my weight at 48kg. With a height of 168cm, the only way to achieve that weight was by not eating.” Despite her talent, the idol industry’s stringent standards dictated her worthiness, leaving her entangled in an obsession with numbers—believing her value hinged on achieving a formulaic weight.

Jun Hyo-seong reflected on her public persona saying, “When people think of Jun Hyo-seong, they think of her figure…” With 15cm high heels and tight shapewear that contorted her body, she prioritized societal acceptance over personal comfort, lessons that have shaped her perspective today.

Han Seung-yeon, known for her doll-like features, recounts her pressing need to maintain a low weight: “When I gained weight, I was 46kg. After losing another 4kg, I passed out.” Her pursuit for a slender appearance not only jeopardized her health but also led to chronic illness. She now seeks to raise awareness for others to avoid similar pitfalls.

Kim Wan-sun, a trailblazer in the late 80s, candidly admitted, “I couldn’t eat much, so my colleagues would say, ‘My wish is to see her eat.’” Despite enduring a serious car accident, she took to the stage only a week later, often surviving on minimal food intake before performances—her weight once plummeting to alarming levels.

The Price of Fame

These women, who illuminated the entertainment scene, reveal a shared narrative of painstaking struggles during their rise to prominence. For them, the shame of not meeting desired weight benchmarks was omnipresent, leading to realizations that transcend their individual experiences. Each of them is now engaged in rediscovering the authentic selves they lost amid the industry’s relentless demands.

Hwasa’s poignant assertion, “There is an unreachable standard of beauty. No matter how hard I try, I can’t meet it,” highlights the burdens of unrealistic beauty standards. Even as she embraces her identity in her music, she shares the struggles of remaining true to herself in the face of societal expectations, emphasizing the importance of self-love.

Join the Conversation

As these five women unveil their deeply personal stories, they pose an inclusive question to viewers: “How about you?” Their candid confessions resonate widely, reflecting the shared battles many individuals face regarding body image and self-worth. Don’t miss SBS Special’s “Bodymentary – Confessions About Weight,” airing on Sunday, December 8, at 11:05 PM.

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