Some of the most slender k-drama actors and actresses were not always so enviably streamlined. It might surprise fans to know that for actors such as Yoon Eun Hye, Song Hye Kyo and Seo In Guk, being thin does not come naturally.
Yoon Eun Hye, the star of "Missing You" and "Future's Choice" still had some baby fat when she debuted with the group Baby VOX. Now she is fashionably slim but she had to undergo food therapy to get there. She maintains a nutritious but limited diet to stay at that weight. Her diet focuses on fish, vegetables, soup, fruit and beans.
Song Hye Kyo was also not as slender is she is now. When she first appeared in dramas such as "Autumn in My Heart" and "All In" her cheekbones were not as defined.
The star of "That Winter The Wind Blows" and the upcoming film "My Palpitating Heart," stays slender by avoiding fast food or drink soft drinks. She prefers a diet that is rich in fish and vegetables. A favorite dish is pumpkin soup, which has diuretic properties. She also exercises.
"I stay in shape by regularly hitting the gym," said Song. " I exercise more than 4 days a week."
BigBang's T.O.P., who appeared in the drama "Iris" as well as the film "The Commitment," used to be chubby. At first YG Entertainment expressed some concern about his weight, so he lost 40 pounds in 40 days. He continues to work out and controls his diet.
IU also has to be careful about her weight, so she barely eats anything for weeks before she starts a new role.
"I eat an apple in the morning, some sweet potato and water during the day, and I drink protein in the evening," said the "Pretty Man" star.
UEE, who now has a leading role in "Golden Rainbow," confessed that the weight listed for her when she debuted was wishful thinking. But she made it a reality and now weights 112 lbs. For UEE, the secret to weight loss is packing her own lunch. She brings a drink made from black beans, wheat, brown rice, soymilk and honey. Her lunch also often contains brown rice, tofu and a chicken breast salad. Her diet is protein and whole grain dense.
"Many people starve themselves when they are on a diet but that doesn't really help," she said. You have to eat well in order to lose weight and keep it off.
Seo In Guk learned that lesson the hard way. When he auditioned with JYP Entertainment they told him to lose weight.
"From that point onward, I became obsessed with weight loss," said Seo. "After every meal, I'd vomit so that I could lose weight."
He developed bulimia and damaged his vocal chords. His weight control methods are healthier these days. He works out with a trainer, eats sensibly and lost 22 pounds between "Love Rain" and "The Master's Sun."
Anyone can lose weight but these celebrities managed to do it in a way that helped them look glamorous while staying healthy.