Male Korean stars under pressure to lose weight
From left, singer Sindong, comedian Kwak Bum and singer Sung Si-kyung / Xportsnews
Shindong, Kwak Bum, Sung Si-kyung in spotlight
Male celebrities in Korean entertainment are adopting high-profile weight-loss regimens ranging from marathon training and lifestyle overhauls to the use of obesity medications to redefine their public images.
While weight loss among female celebrities has long been a focal point in Korean entertainment media, recent trends show male celebrities as the focus of health management. Singer Shindong, comedian Kwak Bum and singer Sung Si-kyung are drawing attention for recent weight loss.
Shindong, a member of veteran K-pop boy band Super Junior, recently posted photos from a trip to Beijing.
"I really had fun in Beijing — eating delicious food, sightseeing, taking pictures and riding amusement park rides," he said.
Sindong, member of K-pop boyband Super Junior / Captured from Sindong's social media
The singer had previously discussed regaining weight after earlier diet attempts. He said he used the obesity treatment Wegovy but stopped after he did not get the results he expected. Shindong later continued his efforts to lose weight.
Comedian Kwak Bum is combining medical assistance with exercise. He said during a recent broadcast of SBS Radio's "Yoo Min-sang's Hungry Radio" that he used the weight-loss drug Mounjaro.
"If sticking to a diet is difficult, getting help from medication can also be good," Kwak said. "I trained for a marathon while using Mounjaro. I ran a half marathon and am considering a full marathon at the end of the year."
Singer Kang Min-kyung noted Kwak's physical transformation on her YouTube channel, highlighting the public reaction.
"I went to a YouTube gathering, and Kwak looked like a completely different person," she said.
Comedian Kwak Bum talks with singer Kang Min-kyung during a YouTube appearance. Captured from Channel Fullmoon's YouTube channel
Singer Sung Si-kyung lost about 10 kilograms over roughly three months. When he appeared recently on MBC's "Sora and Jin-kyung," his figure surprised host Lee So-ra.
Sung said becoming a cosmetics model pushed him to lose weight.
"I became a cosmetics model. I felt a sense of professional responsibility," he said. "They made a middle-aged guy a model, so I thought I shouldn't look like that."
Sung subsequently released his first photo shoot in six years — replacing his familiar public image with a more sophisticated appearance.
Singer Sung Si-Kyung / Courtesy of Esquire
Beyond simple weight loss, these transformations highlight a broader entertainment trend where male stars link changing their bodies. The different approaches taken by Shindong, Kwak and Sung demonstrate that men's weight management has become a major trend.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.