What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you see the stunning bodies of your favorite K-pop idols? You must have thought: what did they do to get a body like that? But just hold that thought for a second, because behind all those seemingly healthy diet plans of K-pop idols lie the most horrible and extreme stories nobody had ever expected.
Join us as we dive deep into some of the most extreme diet stories the industry has ever seen, and what they have actually cost your favorite K-pop idols behind the fantasy.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS DISCUSSION OF EXTREME DIETING AND DISORDERED EATING IN K-POP INDUSTRY. THESE PRACTICES ARE NOT ENCOURAGED OR ENDORSED BY KPOPPOST. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
When Weight Becomes the First Requirement for K-pop Idols to Debut
Behind every flawless performance in K-pop, there’s a level of preparation most fans never see. And sometimes, that preparation goes far beyond vocal runs and dance drills. It enters the dangerous territory of body deprivation.
Unlike all those overly-admired body goals and body images, the pressure to stay thin in the K-pop industry is not just about looking pretty. It reflects the whole system that started before even signing the contract as a K-pop trainee. And they continue as long as you live by calling yourself an idol: maintaining this body image becomes part of your contract and daily life routines.
Today, we would like to invite you to explore some of the most extreme and horrifying stories behind how your favorite K-pop idols maintained their diet plans.
As they’re pushed to the limit, some of these idols have spoken up through quiet confessions—of meals skipped, fainting ignored, and routines that sound more like survival than self-care.
TWICE Momo – Ice Cubes, Fear, and Three More Days
Before she debuted with TWICE, Momo was told she had to lose 7 kg in just one week to secure her spot. Desperate, she stopped eating altogether—surviving only on ice cubes and brutal gym sessions. It got to the point where she couldn’t sleep, terrified she might not wake up.
She didn’t hit the target weight in time, but rather than easing the demand, her agency extended the deadline by three more days. Even her fellow members admitted they were scared she’d collapse.
The fact that Momo survived it all and still debuted is often celebrated. But the reality? It should never have happened.
IVE Rei – One Meal a Day, Midnight Cravings, and the Quiet Collapse
Secondly, we have Rei from IVE who shocked fans when she opened up about her promotional diet routine on her YouTube series “Follow Rei.”
During promotions, Rei followed what seemed like a “smart” diet—just one small meal a day, with long fasting periods. She started mornings with half an apple and often ate nothing else until late evening. Some days, a few pieces of kimbap or strawberries become her only meals.
But behind this routine was constant hunger.
One night, she admitted to waking up and eating a cream bun and tangerines, but she was unable to sleep through the cravings.
Her story may sound less extreme, but it’s just as dangerous.
When hunger becomes routine and self-denial is praised as control, it’s no longer health—it’s silent harm.
BTS Jimin – Ten Days, One Meal, and Collapsing on Stage
During BTS’s “Blood, Sweat & Tears” era, Jimin became self-conscious about his naturally full cheeks. That is why Jimin then went on a diet so extreme that he ate only one small meal over the course of ten days.
As a result, he started collapsing during rehearsals. His fellow BTS members grew concerned, urging him to stop—but he continued, hoping the sacrifice would reflect on stage.
Years later, he opened up about this period during a variety show appearance. Jimin said that the method did NOT work at all, and it was definitely NOT worth the physical toll.
EXO Xiumin – Coffee, Criticism, and the Yo-Yo Cycle
Did you know? EXO Xiumin was harshly criticized for his weight from the moment he debuted. And this led him into a cycle of rapid weight loss and gain.
Then, during EXO’s “Growl” era, he took it to the extreme—eating only one single meal every other day. He would also drink excessive amounts of coffee to suppress hunger.
This then resulted in a dangerously low weight and severe physical strain, and Xiumin later admitted that the method was NOT effective at all. Therefore, he advised fans not to follow his example.
IU – The Viral Diet That Was Never Meant to Be Copied
Next, we have IU, who once admitted that a cruel comment during her debut stage pushed her into one of the most famous (and problematic) diets in K-pop. She was only 15 at the time, and yet she was called a “pig” by someone in the audience.
Then, she went into what was famous as an “apple, two sweet potatoes, protein shake” plan. And believe it or not, it made headlines, not for the right reasons.
Yet, the real story is far worse than what people believe. This extremely unhealthy diet plan made her lose her appetite entirely. Not only that, but her relationship with food also deteriorated a lot. And she said that eventually, she no longer wanted to eat.
Tragically, the IU Diet went viral—replicated across YouTube and TikTok by fans who misunderstood its origins. IU later clarified that she no longer follows the diet and has since sought professional help to develop healthier eating habits.
WeNU Heechan – Laxatives, Dehydration, and the Price of Approval
When Heechan began auditioning, he weighed 94kg. After facing rejection after rejection, he lost 20kg through intense gym routines. It worked—he passed every audition after that. But the demands didn’t stop.
His agency enforced weekly weight checks. To meet expectations, Heechan turned to laxatives and stopped drinking water days before weigh-ins. He eventually lost 30kg in total. While he says he was finally “accepted,” he also admitted that his singing deteriorated due to his weakened body.
The debut he worked for was ultimately canceled, but the damage remained.
HyunA – 40 kg, One Gimbap, and a Body Ready to Collapse
At one point in her career, HyunA weighed just 40kg and survived on a single piece of gimbap a day. The result was devastating. Her blood pressure dropped to dangerous levels, leading to vasovagal syncope—a condition that caused her to faint frequently.
Her staff, fearing for her life, developed silent cues to monitor her condition during music video shoots and performances. In a viral interview, she revealed she used to starve for weeks, driven by the belief that only a thin body could be loved by fans. Now, after gaining 8 kg and focusing on her health, she says she finally feels “happier”—but the pain of that past still lingers in her words.
The Twisted Mindset of K-pop: Idols Extreme Diet Stories As … Achievements?
There’s a disturbing truth we need to confront: even today, many of the most extreme and horrifying diet stories in K-pop are still framed as proof of hard work.
The abovementioned stories are only some anecdotal examples of how extreme the diet experience that K-pop idols must endure to fulfill their so-called duty and body goal expectations. And yet, for the industry, they are often viewed as milestones of determination. Fans, companies, and even idols themselves have long praised the “results” while quietly ignoring the wreckage left behind.
Some call it “comeback transformation.” Meanwhile, others call it a “visual upgrade.” And yet, what we’re really seeing is someone who pushed their body to the brink just to be accepted.
And the applause that follows? That’s not support. That’s how the system stays alive
These Extreme Diet Stories Are NOT Going Away, Just Disguised – Approach with Caution
Every idol in this story survived. But many say they’re still recuperating—physically, emotionally, and mentally. And not all stories end in complete recovery.
And if you think that such extreme K-pop diet eras ended with second-gen idol scandals, well, you might want to think again.
Today’s extremes are harder to spot—not because they’re gone, but because they’re being rebranded.
What was once starvation is now “clean eating.” What used to be called skipping meals is now framed as “intermittent fasting.” Laxative abuse? “Reset detox.” Refusing to eat for days? “Self-discipline.” These phrases sound healthier, but the damage they cause is exactly the same if not applied with caution.
Fans are often handed these routines through idol vlogs and gym photos, marketed as if they’re just part of the job. But let’s be clear: no weight loss plan that sacrifices your energy, voice, or menstrual health is healthy, no matter how aesthetic the result looks on camera.
K-pop Idol Diets: Proceed with Extreme Caution!
So, if you’re thinking of trying a K-pop diet, approach it with caution. Better yet, just don’t.
Idol bodies are NOT the ideal templates for your health. Most of these seemingly stunning figures are the outcome of pressure, surveillance, and sometimes, real suffering.
At the end of the day, please remember that these idols weren’t sharing their pain to be praised for it. They were sharing it so no one else would have to go through it again.
But still, that only works if we actually listen to their plea.
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