MAMAMOO's Hwasa has shared a deeply emotional story about her difficult battle with anorexia during her trainee days.
On December 29th, SBS aired a special program titled Bodymentary: Confessions About Weight, where iconic female stars from different generations—Kim Wan Sun, Soyou, Jun Hyo Seong, Han Seung Yeon, and Hwasa—talked openly about the harsh realities of being judged for their weight and looks in the entertainment industry.
Stylist Jung Seol, who has worked in the industry for 22 years, also appeared on the show, shedding light on how idols face immense pressure to meet unrealistic weight standards.
"It breaks my heart how obsessed idol culture is with the number on the scale," she said. "Everyone has a different body, so how can one number define beauty? Weight isn't like measuring meat where '41 kg' equals a specific size."
Hwasa, known for her fierce stage presence and confidence, revealed how dark and painful her trainee years were. "Back then, I didn’t know what was right. I thought the only way to debut was to starve myself. So I completely stopped eating," she admitted.
The singer also recalled how weigh-in days became a nightmare. "We all felt the pressure to show lower numbers on the scale. My members and I would go to the pharmacy and buy laxatives, hoping it would help us weigh less before stepping on the scale."
Hwasa shared a heartbreaking moment when she broke her strict diet by eating black sesame rice cakes. "I felt so guilty," she said.
"I had worked so hard to lose weight, and the thought of eating made me furious at myself. All that guilt and anger just poured out. I cried and ended up vomiting everything I had eaten. That was when my anorexia started."
Her emotional confession highlights the struggles many idols face behind the scenes, even as they appear confident and glamorous in the spotlight. Fans have since expressed their support for Hwasa, praising her for her bravery in sharing such a personal story.
This eye-opening discussion is a reminder of the challenges idols endure in their pursuit of success, and Hwasa’s courage continues to inspire many.
Source: [1]
