The journey of body image in the digital age has been a tumultuous one, marked by extreme trends and ever-shifting ideals. From the dark corners of pro-ana Tumblr to the current obsession with celebrity weight loss and the normalization of extreme diets within the K-Pop industry, the pressures to conform to unrealistic beauty standards remain pervasive. This article explores this evolution, touching upon the resurgence of harmful trends, the impact on young people, and the specific pressures faced by K-Pop idols like ITZY's Ryujin to maintain a slim figure.
The Dark Past: My Experience with Pro-Ana Culture
My own experience with body image issues began in childhood. As a fat child raised on fried food and carbs, I was happy until the taunts and teasing started. By sixth grade, I was avoiding social situations due to my weight. The turning point came when a friend shared her weight loss secret, skipping dinner for a month and losing 5 kg.
This led me down a dangerous path into the pro-ana and pro-mia communities on Tumblr. My laptop became a repository of thinspiration images, fueling my obsession with achieving extreme thinness. I skipped meals, oversleeping to avoid hunger, and obsessively searched for tips to eliminate fat.
By thirteen, I was hospitalized, a consequence of my eating disorder. While I received compliments on my weight loss, the reality was hair loss, missed plans, isolation, manipulation, and severe health issues.
While the internet didn't cause my body image issues, it undoubtedly encouraged my eating disorder.
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The Rise and Fall of Body Positivity
Fortunately, the social media landscape began to shift during my recovery. The grunge aesthetic of extremely skinny girls with visible collarbones was replaced by a new wave of body positivity. Hashtags like #LoveYourself, #BodyPositivity, and #MyBodyMyRules filled my Instagram feed with messages of self-love, acceptance, and diversity.
Between 2016 and 2019, it felt like we were collectively awakening to activism, feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, anti-racism, and the #MeToo movement. I followed body positivity influencers like Megan Jayne Crabbe, whose journey of recovery and body pride was incredibly healing.
Popular music also reflected this shift, with artists like Meghan Trainor, Lizzo, and Doja Cat promoting body positivity. Chubby girls were no longer relegated to side characters but embraced as confident and sexy mainstream role models.
While there were instances of skinny-shaming, this era marked a significant step toward greater inclusivity and acceptance of diverse body types.
The Resurgence of Harmful Trends
In recent years, the body image discourse has taken a concerning turn. Algorithm-driven platforms are now dominated by white, super skinny, able-bodied women who embody the imposed beauty standard.
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The #BodyPositivity movement seems to have faded, replaced by an intense focus on insecurities. I've witnessed firsthand the devastating impact on young people, with ten-year-olds expressing desires for button noses and resorting to extreme diets.
The current online environment feels eerily similar to the pro-ana Tumblr days, but now it's normalized and affecting everyone, not just vulnerable teens.
During the 2020 pandemic, I relapsed into my eating disorder, and the compliments I received for my weight loss reinforced the harmful idea that I was doing something right.
Even now, at 25, I struggle to resist the pressure to conform to unrealistic ideals.
The Influence of K-Pop and the Normalization of Unhealthy Diets
The rise of K-Pop in the West has brought many positive cultural exchanges, but it has also contributed to the glorification of skinny bodies and the normalization of unhealthy eating habits.
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The industry's relentless pursuit of a specific beauty standard puts immense pressure on trainees and stars, pushing them to adopt dangerous diets like the IU diet (an apple, a sweet potato, and a protein shake a day).
Even when group members are naturally skinny, we can't ignore the instances of alarming weight loss, often coinciding with comeback schedules. Momo from TWICE revealed she lost 7 kg in a week by eating only ice cubes, feeling so weak that she cried herself to sleep.
ITZY's Ryujin even revealed that the group feels pressure to "stay thin."
The Ozempic Craze and the Weight Loss Industry
The current obsession with celebrity weight loss, fueled in part by drugs like Ozempic, is deeply concerning. Celebrities who once championed body positivity are now shedding weight, sending a confusing message to their fans.
While I'm not shaming these individuals, who are also victims of the same system, I worry about the implications. If those at the top need to be skinny to stay there, what does that say to the rest of us? Where are the role models for girls who aren't thin?
The weight loss industry, now rebranded as the wellness industry, continues to profit from our insecurities. Every time I'm tempted by a diet pill or skincare product, I remind myself that I'm feeding a system that thrives on our self-doubt.
The Substance: A Dystopian Reflection of Reality
The film "The Substance" serves as a chilling metaphor for our current reality. The fact that people are willing to risk severe side effects from drugs like Ozempic to fit a certain beauty standard is dystopian.
But it mirrors my own experience with starvation, sacrificing long-term health for temporary validation. In "The Substance," the protagonist chooses a dangerous drug to avoid feeling old and unattractive, highlighting the pressure to conform to societal standards.
Ozempic is to fatphobia what "The Substance" is to ageism: a temporary fix with potentially devastating consequences.
A World Without Temporary Fixes
I long for a world where we don't need temporary fixes for our bodies, where we can simply honor them for carrying us through life and allowing us to experience joy.
But until that day comes, we must identify those who profit from our insecurities and resist their influence.
As Naomi Wolf wrote in "The Beauty Myth," a culture fixated on female thinness is not about beauty but about obedience. Dieting is a political sedative, keeping women tractable.
The Pressures on ITZY and Ryujin's Perspective
ITZY, known for their showstopping performances and high-octane choreography, faces immense pressure to maintain a slim figure. Ryujin has openly discussed the importance of aesthetics in their profession.
Ryujin explained that a slim figure enhances their choreography and allows them to wear a wider range of costumes. She emphasized that staying thin is not just about being pretty but about amplifying their performances.
Despite the pressures, the ITZY members seem to prioritize their health and listen to their bodies. They each have unique eating habits, from Yeji's frequent snacking to Lia's slow and steady eating.
Ryujin's perspective highlights the complex reality of being a K-Pop idol, where physical appearance is intertwined with performance and success.
Ryujin's Diet and Workout Routine
Ryujin's dedication to her craft extends to her fitness regimen. While she doesn't eat breakfast, she drinks plenty of water and prefers vegetables.
Her workout routine likely includes extensive dance practice, stretching, and bodyweight exercises. Her dance practice itself is a significant calorie burner, contributing to her lean physique.
A sample routine might involve morning yoga or Pilates for flexibility, followed by several hours of dance practice in the evening.