Soyou's Terrifying Experience

In a candid revelation, Soyou, the well-known singer, recounted a terrifying incident where she fainted on the street while dieting. Fortunately, a kind stranger rushed her to the hospital, marking a major wake-up call regarding the dangers of extreme dieting.

The SBS Special Program

This admission came during the airing of the SBS special program 'Bodymentary - Confessions About Weight' on December 29. The show aimed to shed light on the relentless pressure female celebrities have faced over the years concerning their image and body weight. Alongside Soyou, other notable artists like Kim Wan Sun, Jeon Hyo Sung, Han Seung Yeon, and MAMAMOO's Hwa Sa shared their own struggles with societal beauty standards.

An Emotional Recount

Soyou’s emotional recounting of her experience was eye-opening. She admitted that, even while receiving medical treatment, her primary concern was her weight. "Once, I fainted on the street," she shared. “A stranger took me to the hospital, and I was given an injection. Even at that moment, I remember thinking, ‘If I get this IV drip, my weight might go up.’ It’s heartbreaking to think how deeply these pressures affected me.”

Pressures of the Industry

Reflecting on her training days in the industry, Soyou revealed that her management imposed an unrealistically low target weight of 48 kg, leaving her to survive on minimal food. “For my height, 48 kg is extremely thin, right? So, I was left with no choice but to restrict my diet and exercise excessively.”

Drastic Dieting Measures

After her debut, however, the pressure mounted: "I gained weight and hit 56 kg, which led to intense scrutiny from the company,” she explained. The severity of the situation meant she would only eat four quail eggs a day, omitting the yolks to reduce calories, a drastic approach to meet the stringent demands of the entertainment industry.

The Emotional Toll

In a deeply emotional moment, she recounted a time when her complicated relationship with food brought her to tears. At a friend's house, when offered watermelon, she couldn’t bring herself to eat, telling her friends, “Just one slice won’t hurt,” yet she still refused and cried uncontrollably. This intense struggle led her to drop 8 kg in just one month, reflecting the extreme toll of her dieting habits.

Industry-wide Issues

The program also highlighted Hwa Sa’s struggles with anorexia, emphasizing the widespread issue within the industry. The narratives shared by these artists resonate with many, sparking crucial conversations about body image, mental health, and the pressures faced by women in the public eye.

A Call for Change

As these stories emerge, it becomes evident that the fight against harmful beauty standards is far from over, urging society to reconsider its perceptions of weight and health.