Leading actresses are drawing attention for undergoing extreme weight loss to fully immerse themselves in their roles. While many praise their dedication to enhancing the quality of their performances, concerns about health risks are also being raised. Following Park Min-young, who revealed she dropped to 37kg for a cancer patient role, Ha Ji-won has also sparked buzz with her striking transformation in the ENA drama “Climax.”
Ha Ji-won, who plays the lead in “Climax,” surprised audiences with her noticeably slimmer appearance at the production press conference held on March 10. She later explained on a variety show that she intentionally lost weight to portray the sharp, sensitive nature of her character, highlighting her commitment to the role.
In the drama, she plays Chu Sang-ah, a top actress who announces her marriage to prosecutor Bang Tae-seop (played by Ju Ji-hoon). Behind her glamorous life, the character becomes entangled in various incidents, gradually growing exhausted and fragile. As the role requires her psychological changes to be reflected physically, Ha Ji-won abandoned her previously strong and healthy image, adopting a gaunt and edgy look.
Her sharper facial features, more intense gaze, and slimmer frame have been praised for effectively conveying the character’s unstable mental state. As the story progresses, her increasingly worn-down appearance adds realism to the narrative. While some viewers applauded her “veteran-level immersion,” others expressed concern about her overly thin figure.
Cases of actors losing weight for roles are not new in the entertainment industry. Park Min-young also drew attention for her drastic transformation in the tvN drama “Siren’s Kiss.” Playing a top auctioneer, she pursued a colder, more sensitive image by significantly reducing her weight—marking another extreme diet following her previous project “Marry My Husband.”
At a press conference, Park Min-young revealed, “Because my character barely eats, I drank about 3 liters of water a day.” She explained that this was her way of realistically portraying the character’s lifestyle and psychological state. However, some viewers noted slight issues with her pronunciation and delivery, possibly due to the drastic weight change. Despite mixed reactions, her dedication to the role was widely acknowledged.
Both actresses share a common ground as leading stars in their 40s with around two decades of experience. Rather than simply maintaining their status, they continue to prove their competitiveness by boldly transforming their appearance and image for each project. Ha Ji-won has built a strong presence across action, melodrama, and historical genres since her late-1990s debut, while Park Min-young, who debuted in 2005, has established a diverse filmography spanning romance and thrillers.
This trend is not limited to just a few individuals. Actresses like Kim Hee-ae and Uhm Ji-won have also adjusted their physiques to enhance character immersion. Kim Hee-ae, in the JTBC drama “The World of the Married,” heightened tension with her sharper appearance and restrained performance, while Uhm Ji-won has been known to manage her physique carefully for realistic portrayals in works like “Birthcare Center.”
Remaining active as leading actresses in their 40s is no easy feat, especially in an industry where trends and production environments change rapidly. Their willingness to continuously expand their range and undergo physical transformations is highly regarded both within and outside the industry.
Recently, actors’ weight changes have also become a promotional talking point. Highlighting how much effort they put into a role—through diet routines or weight loss figures—often draws public attention. At the same time, concerns about the potential health risks of such extreme transformations continue to grow.
Like Ha Ji-won and Park Min-young, actors who push themselves to the limit for their craft leave a strong impression on viewers. As interest grows in how these extreme transformations will translate into performance quality, the industry faces an ongoing challenge: finding a balance between artistic dedication and personal health.
Sources: Daum
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