Korean Idols go on Extreme Diets

With the rise of beauty standards in South Korea, many people have been trying to match with the definition of "ideal" and fit in as attractive. A handsome man is viewed as someone who is over 180 cm, muscular, has a chiseled jawline, and broad shoulders. A beautiful woman is seen as someone who is skinny and has pale skin, double eyelids, and a small, V-shaped face. The Korean beauty standard, largely determined by the physical appearances of celebrities, has influenced many people to achieve this ideal look. Cosmetic surgery rates have skyrocketed. According to a March 2015 article in the New Yorker, South Korea has the highest rate of plastic surgery per capita in the world.

Kpop idols have profoundly influenced these beauty standards. Over the past couple of years, as Kpop has become renowned across the world, many Korean idols have been going to extreme lengths in order to lose weight.

Maintaining a slim figure has been highly expected of idols. Due to the social pressure of having to keep a fit body all the time, dieting and exercising have become common activities of Korean celebrities. However, some have undergone extreme diets where their food intake is very low and their exercise is long and intense.

During an interview for reality show, "One Night of TV Entertainment" singer IU revealed her five-day water diet. "While filming for my drama, I gained a lot of weight," said IU. She then explained her daily intake of food, which consisted of apples, potatoes and protein drinks.

Likewise, girl group SISTAR's Dasom revealed her method of losing a lot of weight on a show called, "1 vs. 100." She described her "one food diet" where she ate cucumbers for three weeks in order to lose 10kgs (22 lbs).

Other Korean celebrities such as UEE, 2AM's Changmin, Big Bang's TOP, 2ne1's Park Bom, and many more also used dangerous ways to lose weight.

When asked about her thoughts in an interview with JSR, Seo Young Seok, a sophomore from Tenafly High School, stated, "I feel like this is very unhealthy to not only the stars themselves, but to young adults and teens who look up to them. They have this stereotype that girls need to be super thin and guys need to have abs or muscles. This often leads to bullying and diet problems."

Extreme diets also come with a risk: eating disorders. As reported by goodtherapy.org, although not everyone on a diet will develop an eating disorder, research shows that 35% of occasional dieters become pathological dieters and 25% of those diets eventually progress into true disorders.

An anonymous interviewee told JSR, "although having a great body is desirable, it's sad to see some of these great celebrities exchanging health for looks. Sure, these extreme diets work really quickly, but they aren't the healthiest approaches to use. Also, because idols are so popular and have many fans, young kids or teenagers that look up to them might try these diets for themselves, which is not good."

Although achieving the Korean beauty standard may be desirable, there is a price that must be paid. Losing an immense amount of weight in a short period of time is harmful to the body and may even lead to eating disorders. Moreover, with many celebrities using these unhealthy methods, young fans can get the wrong impression. Of course, everyone should exercise and eat healthy, but good health and positive body image arise from sustainable, balanced physical and dietary habits-they don't suddenly appear overnight.

Ann Yoo, Grade 11

Tenafly High School