The South Korean documentary Bodymentary has sparked important discussions about eating disorders and the unrealistic body expectations placed on female entertainers. Featuring Kim Wan-sun, Soyou, Han Seung-yeon, Jun Hyo-seong, and Hwasa, the documentary provides a candid look into the physical and emotional toll of weight-focused industry standards.
Hwasa, 29, of Mamamoo, recounted a particularly distressing moment during her struggle with anorexia and depression. Overcome with cravings, she secretly ate a single piece of black sesame rice cake, only to be overwhelmed by guilt and self-hatred, leading her to cry and force herself to vomit. This marked the beginning of a prolonged battle with her mental health.
From their trainee years, female idols are subjected to daily weigh-ins, often expected to follow the strict “height-minus-120” formula. Under this system, an artist standing 165 cm tall would be pressured to maintain a weight of just 45 kg. Many are told they cannot debut unless they lose weight, reinforcing dangerous dieting behaviors. Even after debuting, the onslaught of public criticism about their bodies only adds to the pressure.
Han Seung-yeon, 36, formerly of Kara, revealed that her extreme weight loss led to patulous eustachian tube disorder, a condition that affects inner ear pressure regulation. The only prescription her doctor could offer was to gain seven kilograms, a suggestion she found mentally challenging.
Soyou, formerly of Sistar, shared how her severe dieting caused her to collapse on the street, landing her in the hospital. Even then, her biggest concern was, “What if I gain weight from the IV fluids?”. Years of extreme dieting also led to panic disorder, exacerbated by harsh online scrutiny.
Jun Hyo-seong of Secret described her struggle as a continuous cycle of binge eating, weight rebound, and self-hatred. Meanwhile, industry veteran Kim Wan-sun, now in her 39th year as an artist, recalled how she ate so rarely that other celebrities once joked that their dream was to see her eat.
Author Oh Chan-ho, who appeared in the documentary, criticized society’s obsession with weight as a sign of self-discipline, calling it a lazy and judgmental mindset. He emphasized that nutrient deficiencies caused by extreme dieting contribute to depression and mental health struggles.
The documentary, directed by Chung Jae-won, took 10 months to produce and focused on the personal experiences of female singers rather than relying solely on expert analysis. While the team attempted to include younger idols, no fourth-generation idols (those who debuted after 2020) participated, highlighting the continued pressures and silence within the industry.
Audiences responded positively, praising the singers for their bravery and the network for acknowledging its role in promoting harmful beauty standards. Comments on YouTube included messages like “Thank you for sharing your stories” and “It’s empowering to see artists speak up. This should spark more conversations about rejecting body shaming.”
Chung expressed hope that the documentary would challenge societal beauty norms and help those suffering from eating disorders recognize that the problem lies with the system, not themselves. Studies show that understanding the structural flaws behind beauty standards can reduce self-blame and improve mental health outcomes.
By bringing these hidden struggles to light, Bodymentary has encouraged a much-needed conversation on body image, mental health, and the toxic pressures of the entertainment industry.
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