K-pop body standards have fatal consequences
Content warning: This blog contains language that pertains to disordered eating and exercise behaviors, mental illness, and suicide.
South Korean “K-pop” artists, often called idols, aren’t just known for their artistry. They’re also propagated as the standard of beauty based on their weight, diet, and physical appearance. To the public, idols are portrayed as healthy, strong, thin, and happy. But, these K-pop artists are more concerned with their appearance than the average person. While an average person does not have regulations to their eating or exercise habits, these artists have to maintain a rigid body standard in order to be successful.
From all around the world, people are commenting on the physical appearances of their favorite K-pop performers and determining what should be changed and what should be maintained. Some fans of the genre praise these idols for their physicality while others discriminate against them for being what they consider too thin or too large. Many South Koreans believe that a celebrity must have a “good” appearance to be famous. But, why must they abide by appearance ideals to obtain this level of success? K-pop idols should be celebrated for their talent, not their bodies.
Once prospective artists are scouted by a record label, they begin training for singing and dancing. This is when their bodies begin being monitored. Idols are put on strict diets that prevent them from eating certain foods. Soloist IU reportedly ate only an apple, sweet potato, and a protein shake each day resulting in rapid, unhealthy weight loss. Similarly, Momo, a member of popular K-pop group Twice, skipped eating for seven days to lose weight. Whenever she felt hungry, Momo ate ice cubes. This came as a demand from the record label she signed with. Additionally, in an effort to avoid scrutiny, many female K-pop artists put in hip pads to create the illusion of an hourglass figure.
Idols also have rigorous exercise regimens in addition to physically demanding rehearsals and performances. This is unhealthy for these artists because it can lead to physical damage given their lack of nutritional intake. There are many instances in which idols fainted on stage due to this combination. In 2014, Hyeri, a member of Girl’s Day, was performing on stage and suddenly collapsed on the floor right after the performance. She was not able to stand up on her own which led the manager having to carry her off the stage and was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.
These unsustainable appearance standards affect the mental health of K-pop artists, many of whom are diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Suga, a member of BTS, stated in an interview with Rolling Stone that he was suffering from depression on adjusting to the new environment, the stress on making music, and the diets he had to go on. Kim Jonghyun, former vocalist in the group SHINee’s, was outspoken about his mental health. Kim Jonghyun received online hate on everything from his personality to his body shape. He passed away in 2017, taking his own life.
There are many people that are insecure about their own appearance because of these celebrities, myself included. Feelings of jealousy, doubt, and sadness exist in conjunction with the belief that having the body shape and size similar to that of K-pop idols will make me feel content with myself. People should not be made to feel insecure about their own body sizes and shapes because of celebrities. K-pop idols and artists are suffering from eating disorders and body image. No one deserves to have a certain limit of weight they must be, neither do they deserve to be getting negative comments on their body. All bodies are different and have different needs.
