IN PHOTOS: Korean Actresses And K-Pop Idols Reveal Their Workout And Diet Secrets
From maintaining a good and healthy diet to consistent and regular exercise, these unnies are indeed #beautyinspo and #bodygoals
In an industry where they’re constantly judged for their physical appearance, these Korean actresses and K-pop idols have gone to great lengths to take care of their most important asset. That’s why they have pushed themselves outside their limits to become better version of themselves.
But more than staying slim and getting abs, what these Korean celebrities have taught is that with the right mindset and effort, anything can be achieved—whether it’s losing weight, having a healthier lifestyle, or taking care of your body as you age.
Check out the gallery below to know more about how Ailee, Dara, Han Go Eun, Krystal, Lee Hyori, Kim Seolhyun, Jun Ji Hyun, Park Min Young, Son Ye Jin, and Song Hye Kyo treat diet and exercise as an essential part of their daily routines.
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Sandara Park
Who doesn’t know and love our very own K-pop star, Sandara Park? After Dara’s rose to fame thanks to Star Circle Quest, she returned to South Korea to debut as a member of the group 2NE1 in 2009. After becoming one of the bestselling girl groups of all time, 2NE1 disbanded in 2016, leaving Dara to pursue her solo career.
Photo Credit: CAPA Taiwan
Sandara Park
Many remember Dara as the skinniest member of 2NE1, at one point only weighing 39 kg. She revealed in one of tvN’s talk shows that she’s actually struggling to add weight despite her love for food.
Photo Credit: Kpoptify
Sandara Park
She has, however, managed to achieve a well-toned body and fabulous abs, thanks to her constant dance and gym trainings. For a while, she also trained with YG’s resident Captain Personal Trainer, Hwangssabu, who she said tremendously helped her achieve her dream abs. She shared some of her favorite exercises on her IG story, which included burpees (a full-body aerobic exercise that’s great for losing weight and toning) and Pilates.
Photo Credit: Mnet
Ailee
We all know Ailee as one of the first solo K-pop artists who debuted and gained traction inside and outside South Korea as an American-Korean singer-songwriter. After her debut in 2012, she has continued to tour the world and has received the Best New Artist Award from various music award-giving bodies.
Photo Credit: GQ Korea
Ailee
But one of the things that made her memorable as well is her legendary weight loss success in 2015, where she cut down 10 kilograms in just one month. Ailee shared that her diet was a strict 500-kcal diet that was composed of two meals per day of 100g of protein, 2 cups of vegetables, and a fruit.
Photo Credit: Kpop HQ Pictures
Ailee
On top of her diet, Ailee maintained a strict workout routine and training for her next concert. She told All Kpop, “The hardest thing was losing weight and practicing the song. Everyday, I felt like I was going to faint. But I didn't.”
Photo Credit: GQ Korea
Han Go Eun
Han Go Eun just turned 45, but this talented Korean actress is just starting to set things on fire! From her debut in “LA Arirang” in 1995 to her recent appearance in “Love Alert,” Han Go Eun proves that we only get better—and more beautiful—with age.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Han Go Eun
In terms of maintaining her body and beauty over the years, Han Go Eun emphasizes that one should not exercise for the sake of achieving a nice physique. “You have to exercise with being healthy as the goal. When trying to lose weight, you need to set aside about six months and change your lifestyle. Rather than doing yoga or fitness, I try to move around a lot on a daily basis. [For example], I like to mop the living room floor.” She also recommends using weights and dumbbells for exercise.
Photo Credit: Channel Korea
Han Go Eun
Han Go Eun also makes sure she’s not too hard on herself. During an appearance in “Did You Eat,” she says, “I try to not pressure myself too much, and I just change my habits so that everything feels natural to me.”
Photo Credit: BNT International
Jun Ji Hyun
Who would forget Jun Ji Hyun’s phenomenal performances in “My Sassy Girl,” “My Love from the Star,” and “Legend of the Blue Sea?” This phenomenal Hallyu star has continued to bless the world with her beauty and talent, and it has been rumored that she will star in the prequel of the Netflix series “Kingdom” after her surprise appearance at the end of season 2.
Photo Credit: Allure
Jun Ji Hyun
According to Jun Ji Hyun, the biggest factor in maintaining her slim body is paying attention to what she eats. She says that discipline is key and one doesn’t have to skip meals to lose weight. By following a good diet, she makes sure her body is in top form and health.
Photo Credit: MLB Park
Jun Ji Hyun
Her “Legends of the Blue Sea” co-star Lee Minho also said that she exercises every morning. She wakes up at 6 a.m. every morning to make sure she follows this routine.
Photo Credit: Reebok
Krystal Jung
Krystal has enjoyed a long and successful career, first debuting as a member of girl group f(x) in 2009, to lately starring in a number of Korean dramas such as “The Bride of Habaek,” “Prison Playbook,” and “Player.”
Photo Credit: Asia Chan
Krystal Jung
She has also been known for her defined abs, earning her the moniker “11 abs” from netizens because of her abs’ defined lines that almost resemble the number 11. Krystal reveals that she has maintained her abs and small waistline despite the fact that she doesn’t exercise much—it was all thanks to her constant dance practice, which started when she went to a jazz dance academy when she was younger.
Photo Credit: Channel Korea
Krystal Jung
Krystal advices those who want to lose weight to exercise regularly and run. Because of her busy schedule, she says she can’t commit to exercising as regularly, but she makes sure to do some simple stretching exercises before going to bed.
Photo Credit: Bobae Dream
Lee Hyori
Lee Hyori is a legend in the K-pop scene, debuting way back in 1998 with South Korean girl group Fin.K.L. But she has proved her talent and mettle throughout the years as she continued to build her career as a soloist—and by 2006, she was the highest-paid female singer in South Korea.
Photo Credit: The Star
Lee Hyori
At age 41, Lee is considered by many as the sexiest K-pop veteran. How does she do it? Well, Lee is a full-pledged yogi. Apart from long hours of choreography and rehearsals, Hyori sticks to a daily workout routine that’s composed mainly of yoga, to help her calm and soothe her mind.
Photo Credit: The Star
Lee Hyori
Lee is also a vegetarian, which may be the reason for her eternal youth. After a short hiatus in 2015, she returned in 2017 with a new album. In 2020, she announced that she signed a contract with Esteem Entertainment, which has many of her fans excited.
Photo Credit: The Star
Park Min Young
Park Min Young rose to fame after the historical coming-of-age drama “Sungkyungkwan Scandal.” Since then, she has starred in various hit Korean dramas such as “Healer,” and “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim.” Park Min Young started out with adorable chubby cheeks, but in 2011, she swore to lose some of her weight by starting to incorporate some exercises and physical activities into her routine such as Judo, which she said “is extremely hard, but the moves are fun.”
Photo Credit: Elle
Park Min Young
In 2015, she started going on a more intensive diet for her role as an entertainment journalist in “Healer.” This is around the time she started dancing to lose weight. In 2018, she showed off the fruits of her labor in a dance practice video of “God is A Woman” and “Touch” remix with May J Lee of 1Million Dance Studio.
Photo Credit: @parkminyoungcma
Park Min Young
It was also in 2018 when Park Min Young revealed that she underwent through a 3-days apple diet. The diet only lets her eat apple for three straight days. There’s no limit to the number of apples you can eat, but only take a small bite when you feel hungry. She says that while it worked, it shouldn’t be used in the long-term.
Photo Credit: Grazia
Kim Seolhyun
Seolhyun may be one of the most popular members of girl group AOA, known for her beautiful face and perfect body. Apart from her success with the group, she has also made a name for herself by being voted as the Top Female Celebrity Endorser of 2017 with Park Bo Gum and starring in various Korean films and dramas.
Photo Credit: G Market
Kim Seolhyun
But Seolhyun did not have her dream body from the start. When she debuted with AOA, she said she started with 60 kilograms. Seolhyun then lost 13 kg after changing her eating habits and getting into more training. She also said that when she feels like she wants to eat a lot, she had a habit of looking at beautiful pictures of herself to be reminded of her goal and her achievements. She also believes that hydration is a huge key to a good body. Every morning, she drinks a cup of warm water to help detoxify her body, and keeps hydrated throughout the day with water, lemonade, and vegetable juice.
Photo Credit: Mnet
Kim Seolhyun
Because Seolhyun likes to eat, she makes sure she balances this by exercising regularly. She makes sure she doesn’t miss her daily workout session, which usually starts with a 10-minute warm-up, an hour of Pilates exercise, and a 15-minute body massage. She shared on “Laws of the Jungle Tonga” that squats are a regular part of her exercise routine.
Photo Credit: Koreaboo
Song Hye Kyo
Song Hye Kyo has been in the Korean drama industry for decades, but it seems like she has never aged a year. From starring in “Autumn in My Heart” in 2000 to “Encounter” in 2019, this Korean actress looks just like she did ten years ago. Her secret? A good diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Photo Credit: Ymoi
Song Hye Kyo
Song Hye Kyo emphasizes that what you put in your body makes a huge impact on your overall health and physique. This is why she avoids carbonated drinks, black tea, and junk food; and sticks to healthier food like fish, vegetables, tofu, and pumpkin (which is her favorite). She also says she starts her day by drinking two glasses of water so she keeps her body hydrated.
Photo Credit: Suecomma Bonnie
Song Hye Kyo
Ever since she debuted, Song Hye Kyo has kept to a regular exercise routine to keep her body in shape. Some of her favorite exercises are Pilates, yoga, spinning, and kickboxing. She makes sure to get some exercise at least four days a week, and stretch for 20 minutes before and after.
Photo Credit: Devdiscourse
Son Ye Jin
Son Ye Jin has been around for decades now, but this year has been particularly spectacular for the actress since she starred in the hit K-drama "Crash Landing on You,” winning the Popularity Award at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards. And boy does she deserve it as she has been working so hard on her dramas throughout the years. In fact, she has been nicknamed “Cow Ye Jin” be her co-workers, saying, "Many people say I work hard like a cow because I've done many projects. I'll work hard like a cow forever."
Photo Credit: Marie Claire
Son Ye Jin
Her hardworking attitude has also translated into how she takes care of herself and her body. In an episode of “Master in the House,” Son Ye Jin revealed that she has been doing Pilates and TRX (Total Resistance exercises) for the past 10 years. In fact, she is a certified TRX instructor!
Photo Credit: SongSina/Pinterest
Son Ye Jin
Apart from her passion for Pilates and TRX, Son Ye Jin takes care of her body with the right diet. She says she tries to eat more good food, even though “unhealthy food tastes so good.”
Photo Credit: @yejinhand
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