Sunmi is once again at the center of public discussion after candidly opening up about the severe physical toll she experienced while maintaining an extremely low body weight during her K-pop promotions.
The former Wonder Girls member recently shared her experience during a livestream, where she reflected on the promotion period for her 2018 hit song Heroine.
According to Sunmi, she weighed only around 39 to 40 kilograms at the time.
The singer admitted that she was often so physically exhausted she barely had enough strength to function during schedules. She revealed that her dancers were constantly worried she might collapse on stage while performing.
“Sometimes I would just sit there completely drained, unable to even talk to anyone,” Sunmi reportedly shared.
Despite her condition, the idol explained that hearing fans chant her name during performances gave her enough emotional strength to continue appearing on stage.
Sunmi added that she would often become emotional and cry whenever she heard fans cheering for her during that difficult period.
Her honest confession quickly spread across social media and reignited heated conversations about the dark side of K-pop beauty standards, particularly the extreme pressure many idols face regarding body weight.
Many netizens expressed sadness after hearing how physically weak Sunmi had become at the time, while others pointed out that such standards still remain deeply rooted in the entertainment industry today.
Some fans noted that although audiences have become more vocal about protecting idols’ health, many performers are still expected to maintain dangerously thin physiques while simultaneously handling exhausting schedules, performances, rehearsals, and travel.
Several commenters also warned against normalizing starvation diets or unhealthy weight-loss methods, especially in careers requiring intense stamina and energy.
One widely shared reaction stated: “You should never follow extreme diets for a job that demands this much physical endurance.”
Sunmi has long been known as one of K-pop’s most iconic solo performers, recognized for her charismatic stage presence, distinctive concepts, and sharp visuals. Beyond her music career, her ultra-slim figure and long legs were often praised as an “ideal body type” within K-pop for many years.
However, her latest confession has reminded many fans that the glamorous image often associated with idols can sometimes hide serious physical and mental pressure behind the scenes.
As conversations around idol health continue growing globally, Sunmi’s story is once again fueling broader discussions about whether the K-pop industry’s beauty expectations have truly changed — or simply become less openly discussed.
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