Some of K-pop stars are following a "one meal a day" diet to stay slim as this is one of the country's marketing points. They are following such an ultra-strict regime, but also it raises a question of whether they are going too far with their "harsh diet" in making efforts to lose their weight.
During KBS2 television quiz show, 1 vs. 100, South Korean singer and actress Dasom (Kim Da-som) revealed she's only eating one meal a day to lose weight while she's still a member of the girl group Sistar, which was disbanded in 2017, The Korea Times reported.
She said being a member of a girl group needs to go to a harsh diet, so she's only eating at least once a day at around 4 pm. But because she is now filming a television series, she can't continue following her harsh diet. Instead, she is now doing weight and aerobic exercises.
Other K-pop singers also revealed they follow one meal a day diet, including Hani from EXID and Gain from Brown Eyed Girls. Meanwhile, members of Nine Muses have a so-called "paper cup diet," in which they only eat what's inside the paper cup and nothing more.
One member said they use this method, especially when they dine out. She said that the diet helps them see how much exactly they can eat, and then no more. She also added their "paper cup diet" helps them to control the amount of food they consume without being stressed out.
Aside from these female stars, other boy band groups from South Korea also followed one meal a day diet. BTS member Jimin, in particular, was reported to have adopted the extreme "Jimin diet," wherein he's restricting himself to eat only one meal a day for 10 days. In BTS's "Blood Sweat & Tears" era, he followed that strict diet causing him to pass out during dance practices.
Jimin, whose real name is Park Ji-min, was known to be the "abs-pillar" of the group because he has well-toned abdominal muscles. In the group's previous interviews, he repeatedly expressed he's concerned when he's gaining weight.
However, many experts pointed out that following a strict diet or eating one meal a day might lead to some health risks. Although some studies supported the benefits brought by the one meal diet, extremely following this plan comes with several daily risks - including fatigue, inability to concentrate, irritability, weakness, shakiness, and becoming extremely hungry.
One doctor even said that a diet restricting the consumption of nutrients and calories could prompt irregular menstruation, hair loss, as well as depression.
