[theqoo] HYERI’S BELLY FAT CONTROVERSY?… WHY DO FEMALE STARS ALWAYS HAVE TO BE SKINNY?

Looking at the video posted at the time, Hyeri was wearing a thin outfit, and due to a combination of factors including the intense stage lighting, camera angles, and slight weight changes, her abdomen appeared more prominent than usual. Many online commenters suggested it was closer to an optical illusion. Nevertheless, the fact that this escalated into a controversy over belly fat demonstrates that the culture of excessive body scrutiny directed at actresses is still ongoing.

In response, Hyeri confessed her feelings on her fan communication platform, writing, “Honestly, I like myself, but viewers might think I am unprofessional,” and adding, “We are all beautiful just the way we are. But I don’t understand why being thin is considered the only way to be professional.” As Hyeri pointed out, why does the standard of professionalism remain stuck on a skinny body?

Standards that are rarely applied to male actors are repeatedly applied to female actors. While actors who gain weight for a role are praised for their acting transformation, female actors are often subjected to body scrutiny based on just a single photograph.

The recent controversy regarding Hyeri’s belly fat falls into this same category. Hyeri is one of the celebrities who has consistently maintained her figure since her days with Girls’ Day. However, some criticized her as “unprofessional” based on a single photo. This is closely linked to the societal gaze that demands unrealistic body standards from female celebrities.

As being an entertainer is a profession that receives public attention and love, self-management is an important virtue. However, self-management and excessive thinness are different categories. If weight measured by numbers and visible waistlines are prioritized over the physical condition necessary to perform on stage and in productions with healthy stamina, then the standards themselves need to be re-examined.

The question, “Why do you have to be thin to look like a professional?” is not a mere complaint. It is a challenge to the uniform beauty standards of the entertainment industry that have been repeated for decades. It is an outdated perspective that believes one must be thin to be beautiful, involving endless scrutiny of actresses’ bodies.