Girl Group Member Speaks Out Against Extreme Thinness Forced On Younger Idols

A beloved third-generation girl group member has stirred up a heated discussion around the growing obsession with idols’ thinness in the K-Pop industry.

The idol in question is Seola from WJSN (also known as Cosmic Girls).

In a recent YouTube video, where Seola looked back at some of the photoshoots she did as a part of WJSN, the idol touched upon the topic of body standards in K-Pop. According to her, even a few years back, when those pictures were taken, “idols weren’t extremely skinny.”

She explained that during her WJSN days, idols were “too slim” in real life, but looked healthier on camera. But even by those standards, she found the younger idols “too thin.” She expressed her genuine concern, admitting, “When I watch them, I feel a bit uneasy.”

Drawing on her own experience, Seola recalled the difficulties she had when she became extremely thin, adding that it was not by choice.

During the ‘Please’ promoions, I went to the ER twice a week. That was when I was at my thinnest. My weight dropped to 43 kg back then. I kept collapsing in waiting rooms.

— Seola

But even during these extreme periods, Seola says it wasn’t as bad as what today’s idols might face. She admitted that she found this new trend concerning.

Seola’s insightful remarks have sparked heated debate about the idol industry actively pressuring young artists to starve themselves to chase an arbitrary standard that only seems to be becoming increasingly destructive.

I think people misunderstand that in all these idols being underweight, it is not just personal image problems, it is also pressure from management to be this underweight and that is why there’s an important level of concern and questioning to be had.

— ᖭི༏ᖫྀ (@hourlymoka) August 26, 2026

honestly the standards have gotten so extreme in recent years (gen 4~) and it’s scary. we need to cut the bullshit that they’re “doing it in a healthy way” or it’s a rite of passage for idols and actually talk about what’s happening at least 😢

— lotus 𓂃⊹ (@_digital_pond) August 26, 2026

Props to her! Like people needs to be more mad and constantly be mad ab the state of this extreme weight-watching measures in kpop (yes including the boy groups). Just INSANE to me-

— glow Tav ❖🝮 going 4WARD!! (@TavNowInTheater) August 26, 2026

Ye so when twitter acts like “its her choice” – i really hope we can remember many older generation idols speaking up about the absolute mistreatment

— gaykitten 🍊 (@gaykittenlord) August 27, 2026