Hwa Sa's Candid Revelation

In a candid revelation, MAMAMOO's Hwa Sa opened up about the harrowing struggles she faced with anorexia during her trainee years in the competitive K-pop industry.

Insights from the 'Bodymentary' Program

On December 29, the popular SBS program, 'Bodymentary - Confessions About Weight,' featured touching narratives from a slew of renowned South Korean female stars, such as Kim Wan Sun, Soyu, Jeon Hyo Sung, Han Seung Yeon, as well as Hwa Sa herself. The episode shed light on the relentless pressure and judgment these women encountered regarding their appearance and weight throughout various stages of their careers, exposing the severe challenges embedded in the entertainment world.

Stylist Jung Seol's Concerns

Renowned stylist Jung Seol, boasting over 22 years of experience in her field, voiced her worries regarding the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by idol culture. She lamented, 'What’s truly unfortunate about idol culture is the obsession with weight, that number. But people can’t all have the same number. It’s not like meat where 41 kg means ‘this much size.’ It doesn’t work like that.' Her insights emphasize the desperate need for a shift in how body image is perceived within the industry.

Hwa Sa's Trainee Experience

Reflecting on her tumultuous trainee days, Hwa Sa shared, 'That was a time when I had to work hard, but I didn’t know what the right approach was. Everyone said this was how it’s done, and to debut, I had to follow. So, I just didn’t eat.' She recounted the harrowing rituals that came with weigh-in days, revealing that she and her fellow trainees resorted to buying laxatives from pharmacies to manipulate their weight.

Emotional Burden

Not only did the physical toll take a significant toll on her, but the emotional burden was also overwhelming. Hwa Sa vividly recalled a moment of weakness when she secretly indulged in black sesame rice cakes. Overcome with guilt and self-loathing, she described the shock of emotions that enveloped her, saying, 'I thought, ‘I went through all this stress to lose weight, and now I’ve eaten again?’ All my emotions—guilt, anger—flooded in. I sobbed and ended up vomiting.' This painful experience marked the onset of her battle with anorexia, a struggle that many young stars in the K-pop industry face silently.

A Call for Change

Hwa Sa’s bravery in sharing her story sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of the entertainment industry. Many fans are left wondering: what other hidden battles do their favorite stars endure in a world obsessed with unrealistic beauty standards? Through her revelations, Hwa Sa not only seeks to connect with those experiencing similar struggles but also hopes to inspire changes in how the industry approaches body image and mental health.