Ahn Jae Hong, the South Korean actor known for his versatile roles and dedication to his craft, has captured attention not only for his acting prowess but also for his notable physical transformations. His weight loss journey has become a topic of interest, with fans and media alike curious about his methods and motivations.
Weight Loss for Character Embodyment
Numerous actors have lost and gained weight for their film and TV projects. Ahn Jae Hong's weight fluctuations are often tied to the demands of his roles. He approaches each new character with a commitment to embodying their image, sometimes necessitating physical transformations.
"Mask Girl": A Drastic Transformation
In the drama Mask Girl, Ahn Jae Hong portrayed Ju Oh Nam, a character described as having an unlikable appearance and poor social skills. To fully embrace the eerie nature of this character, Ahn Jae Hong underwent a drastic physical transformation. On the recommendation of the director, the actor gained 10 kilograms and adopted baldness makeup. The positive responses were attributed not only to his changed appearance but also to his well-fitted improvisations, adding more depth to his character.
"Normal Preparations": A Healthy Approach
During an interview, when asked about his weight loss, Ahn Jae Hong responded, "A lot of people ask me about my weight loss, and it makes me cringe. I can’t talk about it anymore." He emphasized that his weight loss was achieved in a healthy way, "Like other people, I lost weight in a healthy way by controlling what I ate and exercising." He clarified that it was just part of the normal preparations to get into character. With every new production and every new character, there is an image you need to fulfill.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Ahn Jae Hong stated that he is not particularly invested in dieting currently. He said, “I am maintaining my weight, and it’s embarrassing that people are saying I lost weight when I didn’t even lose that much. If I take on a character that has more weight, then I will probably gain it back really fast."
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The "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator" Revelation
Ahn Jae Hong's appearance on JTBC's Please Take Care of My Refrigerator offered more insights into his weight loss journey.
Losing 10 Kilograms
Host Kim Sung Joo inquired, "It looks like you lost a lot of weight. Did you go on a diet?" Ahn Jae Hong confirmed, "I lost around 10 kilograms," surprising everyone. The actor revealed that he rode his bicycle pretty much every day. But he also shared the concern, “I think I’m going to rebound. I have to maintain it for two months, but my sense of smell gets really sensitive. So I give myself cheat days when I eat a lot at once. Today’s that day.” When Chun Woo Hee joked, “Every day is cheat day for Ahn Jae Hong” Ahn Jae Hong confessed, “I love eating too much. Rather than eating a lot at once, I like to go from place to place and eat a variety.
An Appetizing Eating Show
The cast of the show introduced the actor as the man who won over many hearts with his acting in tvN’s Reply 1988 and added that he lost a lot of weight. In response, Ahn Jae Hong replied, “I did lose some weight” as he showed off his thinner face and naturally handsome features. But that transformation didn’t stop him from putting on a proper eating show. He ate in such an appetizing way that the chef even commented, “You make it look so good.” The cast then jokingly worried, “Will you be okay for next week’s filming?"
Other Actors' Transformations
Ahn Jae Hong is not alone in his dedication to physical transformations for roles. Other actors have also undergone significant changes to embody their characters:
- Lee Jung Ha: To better embody his character in the drama Moving, Lee Jung Ha began gaining weight ahead of his audition and ended up adding 30 kilograms by the end of the drama’s shoot. His reported diet consisted solely of ramen for three months, and he even engaged in dancing and Pilates for his wire scene.
- Park Min Young: Park Min Young’s dramatic weight loss for her role in upcoming tvN drama Marry My Husband has become a hot topic. She lost her weight to 37 kilograms to authentically portray her character as a cancer patient in the series.
- Lee Joon Hyuk: Lee Joon Hyuk stepped into the role of the antagonist in The Roundup: No Way Out. Despite having portrayed numerous villainous roles in past projects, Lee Joon Hyuk crafted a fresh character by gaining 20 kilograms to face off against the invincible Ma Dong Seok. Regarding the major weight gain, he explained, “Wouldn’t it be odd if viewers thought it’s strange when they see scenes of me facing off with Ma Dong Seok in the movie?” Known for his hearty appetite-consuming up to six meals a day-the actor focused on physical and vocal training alongside his weight gain.
- Cho Jin Woong: Cho Jin Woong surprised viewers with his remarkable weight loss in Believer. Cho Jin Woong is widely recognized as an actor with a fluctuating weight, often referred to as having a “rubber band weight.” In previous works like Once Upon a Time in High School and My Brother as well as in drama My Too Perfect Sons and The Slave Hunters, he showcased a larger physique, weighing over 100 kilograms. However, in films like The Handmaiden and My New Partner, he intentionally lost more weight.
- Park Jung Min: Smuggler, starring Kim Hye Soo and Yum Jung Ah, grabbed attention for its narrative centered around female divers entering the world of smuggling. Park Jung Min left a lasting impact with his impressive supporting role in the film led by two veteran actresses. Given the oceanic setting, Park Jung Min gained 15 kilograms at director Ryu Seung Wan’s suggestion to embody the image of a robust sailor. Notably, he decided to join the project without even reading the script, solely because it was directed by Ryu Seung Wan, and he even enjoyed the process of putting on weight.
Inspiration from Other Stars
Weight loss is never quick and easy. It can get discouraging to those trying to lose weight especially if they tried seemingly everything on the market. That said, here are some other stars who dramatically lost weight and now serve as an inspiration to many!
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- Yoo Jaehwan: Yoo Jaehwan is a song-writer and entertainer known for his cute face. He began losing weight in April 2019 for health reasons, losing a surprising 32 kilograms (70 pounds).
- X1’s Eunsang: Many are unaware that the final member to be included in X1, Lee Eunsang, was on the chubby side as a child. It was reported that he lost 10 kilograms (22 pounds) by eating one meal a day as a way to persuade his mother to allow him to chase his dreams as a singer.
- Hong Sunyoung: Singer Hong Jinyoung’s sister gained attention through her appearance in the variety show “My Little Old Boy” where she promised the viewers that she would lose weight. She recently revealed her new look after losing 20 kilograms (44 pounds).
- Kim Shinyoung: This popular comedian was able to go from 73 kilograms (160 pounds) to 44 kilograms (98 pounds), losing 62 pounds in total. Kim Shinyoung’s amazing feat was brought on by eating smaller meals and working out.
- Park Jimin: Lastly, Park Jimin entered the entertainment business as a talented singer in K-Pop Star. Her cute look and cheeky personality made her beloved all over. She began her diet shortly after her debut and has since come back with a new look.
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