Fans concerned as Infinite's Sungjong reveals his dinner is 'a glass of soy milk and three almonds'
Trigger Warning: Mentions of eating disorder and weight
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: There are no two ways about the fact that K-pop idols function in a very mechanical way where everything they do or say is analyzed by a team of media professionals. However, older K-pop companies have been notorious for forcing idols to lose or maintain their weight by enforcing a strict diet on them, with the idols having to eat way less than they are supposed to. One such company notorious for forcing its idols to eat insanely limited portion sizes is Woollim Entertainment, known for managing K-pop groups like Infinite, Golden Child, Epik High, and Lovelyz, among others.
Now, as the years have passed, fans of K-pop are realizing that the impossible weight and body type standards set by entertainment labels need to be called out. This is why fans are concerned about Infinite member Sungjong's recent comment about his eating habits and are asking him to be conscious of how his words will impact his fans. On September 28, a post went viral online from Sungjong's recent radio show appearance and had fans talking about his questionable eating habits after he opened up about his diet.
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Infinite Sungjong reveals his eating habits in the 'Cultwo Show' radio interview
Infinite's Lee Sungjong surprised Cultwo radio show hosts Kim Tae-gyun and Yoo Min-sang as he talked about his diet. Upon being asked what he had to eat before attending the show, the singer revealed he had a measly breakfast. He said, "I ate one egg today. I divided it into three and ate it three times." He then went on to say, "I don't eat dinner, I eat three pieces of almonds." He explained that when he is tired, he drinks a box of soy or oat milk and eats three almonds to gain some strength."
He added, "I get energy when I am in front of the cameras so I don't feel hungry." However, the answer seemed extremely misinformed to many fans who are now calling him out for not looking after his health and eating right, as well as wrongfully advertising an eating disorder to many who look up to him. When asked on the show if he has a small appetite, Sungjong replied, "I often heard a lot of nagging (about eating less) from my parents when I was young."
'This is regular Eating Disorder flexing'
Fans are not happy about Sungjong's eating habits as one said, "When are idols going to realize their diets(?) is not something to promote?! Cuz he's obviously not saying "this is what i do but you guys don't think of trying it" he just straight up recommended it." Another fan said, "Oh no…just no smh. This is not a flex Sunjong. What’s worse is that he genuinely seems to to not see the problem with this." Someone else chimed in, "It is true, Woollim made him go through literal hell. He definitely has a problem and fans have worried about it for years, but believe it or not, he's actually gotten much better now and is trying to gain weight. People are so quick to judge without knowing anything about their situation (not you, just this entire post)."
One fan said, "This sounds like regular ed flexing. when people are deep in an eating disorder, they can get proud of their insane "diet" and low weight. If someone says that's too extreme you feel proud and if someone says that's too much you compete. He needs residency care atp. And don't even bother with the "u cant diagnose him you don't know him bs. that man has an ed 100% if he actually eats like that." Another wrote, "There’s “having a small appetite” and there’s this. You can’t convince me a single adult person in the world would feel satisfied eating like this, esp if they’re dancing and singing every day, unless they have an illness (mental or physical)."
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