The problem with wanting to be perfect

The idol industry’s emphasis on slimness often results in extreme dieting practices. Many idols have publicly shared their restrictive diets, sometimes consuming dangerously low calories to maintain a certain weight. These practices are not only harmful to the idols themselves but also send a damaging message to impressionable fans.

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) warns that such portrayals can lead to unhealthy eating behaviors, especially among teens. When idols with massive followings promote rapid weight loss or share “what I eat in a day” videos featuring minimal calorie intake, they inadvertently encourage disordered eating habits among young viewers (NEDA, 2020).

This trend is further worsened by the proliferation of idol-inspired diet challenges on social media platforms. For instance, the “IU diet”—named after the K-pop star IU, who once revealed that she consumed only an apple, a sweet potato, and a protein shake daily—has been widely adopted by fans trying to emulate her physique. Despite IU later acknowledging the diet’s unsustainability, its popularity persists, with many YouTube and TikTok videos documenting individuals trying to follow it. Such content not only normalizes extreme dietary restrictions but also glamorizes them, potentially leading young fans to develop unhealthy relationships with food and body image.

Even though IU later said on the show Healing Camp that the diet was “very extreme” and “unhealthy,” many fans continued following the trend. Former SISTAR member Soyou also shared on Get It Beauty that she only ate four quail eggs and a cup of low-fat milk a day while trying to lose weight. Hyeri from Girl’s Day said she ate just one meal a day before her debut. Even when idols warn people not to follow these extreme diets, the clips often go viral and are perceived as challenges by followers rather than warnings.

When these extreme diets are shared so openly, they can make unhealthy habits seem normal or even glamorous. This puts pressure on young fans and can lead to harmful views about food, weight, and body image.

It’s crucial to recognize the influence idols have on their audiences, especially young fans. While the entertainment industry may continue to value a certain image, fans and media consumers must learn to prioritize health over appearance. Promoting realistic and sustainable body standards—not extreme diets—should be the new trend.