Sunmi is once again at the center of public discussion after she opened up about the severe physical toll she has taken while maintaining an extremely low body weight during her K-pop promotions.
The former Wonder Girls member recently shared her experience during a live stream, where she reflected on the time promoting her 2018 hit song Heroine.
According to Sunmi, she weighed only 39 to 40 kilograms at the time.
The singer admitted that she was often so physically exhausted that she barely had the strength to function during busy schedules. She revealed that her dancers were constantly worried that she might collapse on stage during the performance.
“Sometimes I sat there completely exhausted, 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 often got emotional and cried whenever she heard fans cheering for her during that difficult time.
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 that time, while others pointed out that such standards still remain deeply ingrained in the entertainment industry today.
Some fans have noted that although the public has become more vocal in protecting idols’ health, many performers are still expected to maintain dangerously thin physiques while simultaneously juggling grueling schedules, performances, rehearsals and travel.
Several commentators have also cautioned against normalizing starvation diets or unhealthy methods of losing weight, especially in careers that require intense stamina and energy.
One widely shared reaction stated: “You should never go on extreme diets for a job that requires so much physical endurance.”
Sunmi has long been known as one of K-pop’s most iconic solo artists, recognized for her charismatic stage presence, distinctive concepts and sharp visuals. Beyond her music career, her ultra-slim figure and long legs have often been praised as an “ideal body type” within K-pop for many years.
However, his latest confession reminded many fans that the glamorous image often associated with idols can sometimes hide serious physical and mental pressure behind the scenes.
As conversations about idol health continue to grow 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.
