By Laily UPN 
On September 11, the K-pop industry was provided with a candid look into the rigorous physical expectations placed upon modern idols through a video titled “War with Fat: The Truth About 20 kg,” uploaded to the official YouTube channel of the rising girl group RESCENE. In the featured content, members Minami, Liv, and Woni addressed long-standing rumors and internal discussions regarding their weight fluctuations during the high-pressure period leading up to their official debut. The video served as a platform for the members to clarify specific figures regarding their weight loss and, more importantly, to shed light on the profound psychological and physiological distress that often accompanies the pursuit of the "ideal" idol physique.
The discussion was prompted by a previous video released in July, in which Woni had alluded to the dramatic transformations the members underwent during their trainee days. At that time, Woni suggested that Minami had experienced a weight shift of approximately 20 kg. In the latest update, Minami sought to provide a more precise account, clarifying that while the figure was not quite 20 kg, it was nonetheless substantial. She revealed that she had lost 18 kg (approximately 39.6 lbs) prior to the group’s debut. Similarly, her fellow member Liv disclosed a weight loss of 13 kg (approximately 28.6 lbs). These revelations highlight the extreme measures often taken by young performers to meet the aesthetic standards of the South Korean entertainment industry.
The Psychological Burden of Aesthetic Standards
The core of the testimony centered on the emotional trauma experienced during the preparation phase. Minami, a Japanese member of the group who gained initial public attention through the survival show "My Teenage Girl," shared a specific anecdote regarding a costume fitting that became a breaking point for her. She recalled an instance where she was tasked with trying on a pair of jeans that would not fit over her hips. The embarrassment of the situation led her to force herself into the garment to complete the task, but the internal toll was immediate and severe.
According to Minami’s account, the stress of the fitting caused her to retreat to a vehicle where she wept in isolation. The emotional outburst was significant enough that her makeup required a full restoration, leading to a temporary halt in the scheduled production. Minami described a state of physical and mental exhaustion, noting that she "couldn’t breathe well" and felt entirely devoid of energy. This level of stress was not an isolated incident; she admitted to crying almost every day during the most intense periods of her diet, illustrating a pattern of chronic emotional distress linked to body image and professional expectations.
Liv echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that while the physical transformation was visible to the public, the psychological burden remained largely hidden. The members described the "war with fat" as a constant mental struggle that permeated every aspect of their daily lives, turning routine activities like eating and dressing into sources of anxiety.
Chronology of RESCENE’s Path to Debut
To understand the context of these revelations, it is necessary to examine the timeline of RESCENE’s emergence in the K-pop scene. RESCENE is a five-member girl group under The MUZE Entertainment, consisting of members Woni, Liv, Minami, May, and Zena. The group made their official debut on March 26, 2024, with the single album "Re:Scene," featuring the lead track "UhUh."
The preparation for this debut involved years of training, during which the members were subjected to the industry’s standard evaluation metrics, which include vocal ability, dance proficiency, and visual presentation. The "War with Fat" video indicates that the weight loss journey occurred primarily during the final "polishing" phase of their trainee period—a time when many agencies intensify pressure on trainees to achieve a "camera-ready" look.
In July 2024, the first mentions of the members’ weight changes began to circulate following the release of behind-the-scenes content. This sparked curiosity and concern among fans, eventually leading to the September 11 video where the members chose to address the topic with transparency. By revealing the specific numbers—18 kg for Minami and 13 kg for Liv—the group has provided a rare, quantified look at the scale of physical change expected of some trainees.
Supporting Data: The "Idol Diet" and Industry Benchmarks
The experiences shared by RESCENE are reflective of a broader, systemic trend within the K-pop industry. While every agency has different protocols, the "idol diet" has become a well-documented phenomenon. Historical data and testimonies from former idols suggest that female trainees are often pressured to maintain a weight well below the healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) range for their height.
Common industry benchmarks often suggest a target weight of 45 kg to 48 kg (99 lbs to 105 lbs) for female idols, regardless of their natural bone structure or height. For individuals starting at a higher weight or those with more muscle mass, reaching these targets requires significant caloric deficits. A loss of 18 kg, as experienced by Minami, represents a massive percentage of total body weight for a young woman, often achieved through restrictive eating and intense physical training schedules that can exceed 10 to 12 hours a day.
Medical experts note that rapid weight loss of this magnitude can lead to several health complications, including:
- Hormonal Imbalances: Drastic caloric restriction often leads to the loss of menstrual cycles (amenorrhea) and thyroid dysfunction.
- Reduced Bone Density: Poor nutrition during late adolescence—the age of most K-pop trainees—can result in long-term risks of osteoporosis.
- Psychological Disorders: The constant focus on weight is a known trigger for body dysmorphic disorder and various eating disorders.
- Physical Fatigue: As noted by Minami, the lack of energy and difficulty breathing are symptoms of the body entering a "starvation mode" to conserve essential functions.
Reactions and Official Stance
While The MUZE Entertainment has allowed the members to speak openly about these struggles in their YouTube content, the agency has not issued a formal statement regarding the specific health protocols or dietary requirements enforced during the trainee period. The release of the video itself is seen by some industry analysts as a strategic move toward "authenticity marketing," where groups build a stronger bond with fans by sharing the hardships they faced to achieve their dreams.
Public reaction has been largely sympathetic. On social media platforms and community forums, fans have expressed concern for the members’ well-being, with many calling for a shift in industry standards that prioritize health over extreme thinness. However, a segment of the domestic and international fanbase continues to normalize these transformations as a necessary sacrifice for the "visual perfection" expected of top-tier idols.
The contrast between the "glamorous" debut and the "hidden hardships" mentioned by Liv highlights the dichotomy of the K-pop machine. The members are presented as empowered and successful figures on stage, yet their path to that stage involved significant periods of self-admitted misery and physical depletion.
Broader Impact and Industry Implications
The decision by RESCENE to honestly discuss their 18 kg and 13 kg weight loss marks a growing trend of "transparency" among fourth and fifth-generation K-pop groups. In previous decades, the methods used to achieve idol physiques were treated as trade secrets or whispered rumors. Today, groups are increasingly using their own media platforms to discuss the realities of the industry.
This transparency serves a dual purpose. It humanizes the idols, making them more relatable to a generation of fans who value mental health awareness and body positivity. Conversely, it also inadvertently highlights how little the fundamental requirements of the industry have changed despite increased global scrutiny. The fact that a member felt the need to lose 18 kg to feel "ready" for a debut suggests that the aesthetic pressures remain as potent as ever.
The implications for the future of the industry are twofold. On one hand, the open discussion of these issues may eventually lead to better regulatory oversight or the adoption of health-first training models by agencies. On the other hand, the celebration of the "final result"—the successful debut of a slim, polished group—can reinforce the idea that such extreme suffering is a prerequisite for success.
As RESCENE continues their promotional activities for their recent comeback with the mini-album "SCENEDROME," the conversation sparked by their "War with Fat" video remains a significant point of discussion. It serves as a reminder of the physical and emotional cost of the K-pop dream and challenges the industry to reconcile its high aesthetic demands with the long-term health and safety of its performers. The honesty displayed by Minami, Liv, and Woni provides a crucial data point in the ongoing dialogue regarding the evolution of K-pop and the well-being of the young artists at its center.
