Mamamoo Hwasa Reveals Anorexia Struggles as a Trainee: The Dark Side of 'K-pop’s Beauty Standards'

On the December 29(KST) episode of SBS’s Bodymentary: Confessions About Weight, several female celebrities shared their personal experiences with societal beauty standards and weight issues.

The episode featured appearances by singers Kim Wan-sun, Soyou, Jeon Hyo-sung, Han Seung-yeon, and Hwasa. The conversation delved into the pressures surrounding women’s appearances and weight, with stylist Jeong Seol, a 22-year industry veteran, pointing out the problematic culture in the idol industry. "Idols obsess over specific numbers on the scale. People’s weights are naturally different, but it’s treated as though 41kg is the standard—like a cut of meat," Jeong remarked.

Hwasa, a member of Mamamoo, opened up about her struggles during her trainee days. “As a trainee, I thought I had to do whatever it took to succeed because that’s what everyone said. I didn’t know any better, so I stopped eating entirely,” she admitted. Hwasa also revealed that on weigh-in days, she and her group members would take laxatives to empty their stomachs. However, the extreme dieting led to stress-induced eating.

“I once secretly ate black sesame rice cakes, but then guilt and rage hit me—‘Why did I eat after working so hard to lose this weight?’ I cried my eyes out, threw up, and eventually developed anorexia,” she shared. Hwasa also recalled resorting to diet pills to slim down her thighs, saying, “I felt like I had lost all of my unique charm.”

Other guests shared their own experiences. Soyou admitted, “I looked at my body when it was heavier and felt disgusting.” Jeon Hyo-sung added, “To be on camera, I felt like I had to lose that much weight. I used to think, ‘Why do they walk around like they’re floating on their arms?’ It was a cycle of binge eating, weight gain, and shame.” Han Seung-yeon said, “I thought creating that appearance was just part of my job.” Meanwhile, Kim Wan-sun confessed, “I’ve been struggling a lot with belly fat.”

The episode shed light on the harsh realities and pressures faced by women in the entertainment industry, sparking a deeper conversation about societal expectations and the need for change.