Rising concern over extreme diets in K-dramas
Park Min-young / Captured from Park's social media
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Actor Park Min-young has reassured fans after sparking concern with her noticeably slimmer appearance, explaining that her weight loss was the result of preparing for a drama role, combined with an intense filming schedule.
“I’ve been on a healthy diet for my character Han Seol-ah in the drama ‘Siren,’ but I lost a bit more weight due to a tight schedule," Park said in a social media post.
“I know fans are worried, but I’m healthy and eating three full meals a day.”
Extreme weight changes for roles
Actors often undergo significant weight changes to embody their characters more authentically. In Park’s case, this isn’t the first time she has altered her weight for a role. For the drama “Marry My Husband,” she previously reduced her weight to 37 kilograms to portray a terminally ill patient.
While role-based weight control can enhance on-screen immersion, experts warn it may also harm long-term health. Sudden weight loss can cause nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, reduced metabolism due to muscle loss and skin problems. It may also lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and decreased concentration.
Conversely, gaining weight rapidly for a role can increase the risk of high blood pressure, fatty liver disease and joint problems. Repeated cycles of weight loss and gain — known as “weight cycling” — are particularly harmful, raising the likelihood of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
Hollywood actor Christian Bale has spoken openly about the toll extreme weight changes took on his health. He lost more than 30 kilograms for “The Machinist” and then regained a significant amount of weight in a short period for “Batman Begins.” Bale recalled that even climbing stairs was difficult when he lost the weight, adding that he felt as though his mind had left his body.
Health tips for rapid weight changes
Experts stress that anyone who experiences sudden weight loss should focus on nutritional balance by making sure they are getting enough protein, B vitamins, iron, calcium and zinc. A combination of light resistance training and aerobic exercise can help rebuild muscle and boost metabolism. For women, irregular menstrual cycles caused by rapid weight changes should prompt a medical checkup. Increasing fruit and vegetable intake also supports gut health.
For those who gain weight quickly, doctors recommend checking blood pressure and blood sugar levels and avoiding “crash diets,” which can worsen health risks. A safe and sustainable approach to weight loss is 0.5 to 1 kilogram per week.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.