Celebrity weight-loss drug trend sparks concern over youth misuse

YouTuber and TV personality Pungja, who recently reveals a 14kg weight loss, shares her experience with obesity medication. Captured from YouTube

Celebrity endorsements of weight-loss injections and obesity treatments are drawing massive attention on YouTube and social media — but also raising alarm over potential misuse and the spread of misleading health perceptions, especially among youth.

While many stars say they’ve seen dramatic results, they also acknowledge side effects. Still, simply mentioning these treatments can serve as indirect promotion, fueling growing concern over how such stories are received and repeated.

For celebrities — whose careers often hinge on appearance — weight loss is a frequent endeavor, whether for a role, image change or health. Naturally, their slimming journeys receive widespread attention.

Many even share personal methods, gaining admiration from fans. Recently, testimonials about obesity drugs and weight-loss injections have multiplied, though the focus on efficacy often overshadows the risks.

One such drug, Wegovy, is designed to suppress appetite and is approved only for people with a body mass index (BMI) over 30, or over 27 with comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes.

Its popularity surged globally after U.S. stars Oprah Winfrey and Kim Kardashian shared their experiences with it. Since its introduction in Korea, the drug has drawn intense interest.

YouTubers and entertainers including Pungja, Pani Bottle and comedian Kim Jun-ho have recently spoken about their own use of weight-loss injections and credited them for notable changes.

Pungja revealed she lost 14 kilograms after trying both Saxenda and Wegovy. “Wegovy didn’t make me feel nauseous, but my appetite was still there," she said. "I didn’t eat much, but I wasn’t sure if I was actually losing fat or just water weight. I’m not using it anymore.”

Pani Bottle said he dropped from over 70 kilograms to 64 after using Wegovy. In a YouTube conversation with fellow creator Kwak Tube, he joked, “Some people even accused me of doing hidden ads just because I lost weight with the shot.”

Kim Jun-ho, who is set to marry in July, also used Wegovy to shed weight from 83 kilograms to 77. His fiancee, comedian Kim Ji-min, commented, “He’s become more irritable since the diet. He used to be so positive, but now he’s more negative.”

Growing misconceptions

Experts warn against the growing misconception that these drugs are for general use or aesthetic purposes. Their prescription is strictly regulated, and growing media emphasis on cosmetic use could mislead younger audiences.

Even when side effects are mentioned, the overall framing often glamorizes the results and encourages casual use.

One youth counselor said, “Many teenage girls are already using diet pills. Compared to adults, digital-native teens are less equipped to filter accurate health information. Media coverage often skips over side effects and long-term risks, instead promoting the idea that these drugs can create the ‘ideal’ body.”

She continued, “Teenagers place high trust in celebrities, YouTubers and influencers. While adults may research failed cases and long-term effects, teens are more likely to believe what their favorite star says and move on without deeper investigation.”

Even more worrying, the counselor added, is the rise of unverified substitutes for high-priced, hard-to-access medications like Wegovy.

“If cheaper, less regulated alternatives with similar claims become available, teens could be easily exposed to unknown risks. We’ve already seen how media exposure to drugs in the past led to a spike in youth drug crimes,” she said.

With weight-loss injections trending among stars, experts stress the need for clearer boundaries in how such health treatments are discussed publicly — and a greater effort to protect younger generations from potentially dangerous shortcuts in the pursuit of beauty.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.