The growing trend of ultra-thin body standards among top Korean actresses is sparking intense debate online. While some viewers praise their dedication and professionalism, others express concern and nostalgia for their previously healthier appearances.
Korean Actresses and the Rise of the “Fragile Beauty” Trend
Actresses such as Kim Ji Won, Ha Ji Won, and Park Min Young have recently drawn attention for their noticeably slimmer physiques. Some fans worry that they may be pushing themselves too far in pursuit of weight loss, reigniting discussions about body standards in the Korean entertainment industry.
Kim Ji Won recently attended a Bulgari high jewelry event in Milan as a brand ambassador. Her significantly slimmer figure quickly became a hot topic. While she still looked elegant, many viewers admitted they barely recognized her, calling the transformation drastic. Others suggested the difference might be due to styling or camera angles, noting that her airport photos appeared closer to her usual look.
Meanwhile, Ha Ji Won revealed that her weight loss was intentional for her role in the ENA drama Climax. Known for her strong and energetic image, she shared on a YouTube show hosted by Sung Si Kyung that she deliberately altered her body. She explained that she underwent intense training and reduced muscle mass to achieve a more fragile and sensitive appearance for the role.
She added, “Erasing my own image was even harder than acting,” emphasizing the challenges of her physical transformation. Her slimmer figure became especially noticeable during the drama’s press conference on March 10.
Park Min Young is another prominent example. She revealed that she dropped to just 37 kg while filming Marry My Husband, relying heavily on water intake and exercise to portray a terminally ill character.
For her new project Siren’s Kiss, she maintained a similarly slim figure to match a character who survives mainly on water and alcohol. She shared, “If I gained weight, it wouldn’t fit the role, so I mostly drank water and alcohol. During filming, I consumed about 3 liters of water daily.” The actress later returned to a normal routine after completing filming.
According to The Korea Times, physical transformations are often seen as proof of an actor’s dedication. However, the increasingly extreme nature of these changes is raising serious concerns among audiences, many of whom miss the healthier images these actresses once had.
A Controversial Trend in Chinese Entertainment
This “bone-thin” trend is also widely discussed in the Chinese entertainment industry. The intense pressure to maintain a certain image has driven many celebrities toward extreme dieting, often resulting in alarmingly thin appearances.
Maintaining a delicate, ultra-slim figure has become an unspoken standard, pushing many stars to adopt harsh diets or prolonged fasting. As a result, some appear visibly undernourished, with gaunt faces and fragile physiques that raise health concerns.
Actress Zheng Shuang has repeatedly sparked controversy with her extremely thin frame. She admitted struggling with eating and intentionally losing weight to look better on camera. Similarly, Wu Jinyan shocked the public with her frail appearance, reportedly caused by intense work schedules that reduced her appetite.
Perhaps one of the most extreme cases is Zhang Yuxi, who once lost 11 kg in just 7 days through an extreme diet, reportedly weighing only 39 kg at a height of 1.68 meters.
Male celebrities are not immune to this pressure either. Huang Xiaoming lost 15 kg in a short time for a role, leading to malnutrition and heart-related issues. Luo Yunxi also worried fans after appearing extremely thin and weak, even being seen in a wheelchair at one point.
Other stars like Angelababy, Tian Xiwei, and Gülnezer Bextiyar have also faced criticism for appearing overly thin and lacking vitality.
Many viewers believe this trend not only impacts the health of celebrities but also promotes unrealistic and potentially harmful beauty standards especially for younger audiences who may feel pressured to emulate these extremes.
Sources: TP