The term “mukbang,” referring to videos or webcasts where hosts consume large quantities of food, has evolved from a South Korean trend into a global sensation. While mukbang has achieved international fame, there is also rising interest in a contrasting trend: celebrities are known for their minimal appetites and picky eating habits. This article delves into the lives of Korean celebrities renowned for their restrained eating behaviors and selective food choices.
Joo Woo Jae
Joo Woo Jae, who started as a model and gained popularity on YouTube before becoming a well-known TV personality, is perhaps the most famous small eater. On the MBC variety show Point of Omniscient Interfere, he prepared a lavish spread of donuts and coffee but didn’t eat a single donut, leaving the meal untouched. His YouTube channel features videos where he intentionally makes hamburgers look unappetizing for those on a diet.
Park So Hyun
Park So Hyun, best known as a TV host rather than an actress, has been the face of SBS radio show PowerFM’s Park So Hyun’s Love Game for over 20 years. She is known for her minimal eating habits, often taking just one bite of snacks or a single slice of watermelon and claiming she’s full. For meals, a single iced vanilla latte is usually enough, and she frequently only takes a few spoonfuls of the broth from cold noodles before declaring herself full.
Sandara Park
Sandara Park, a former member of 2NE1, has also been noted for her small eating habits. She once attempted a mukbang with Park So Hyun but struggled with it. Sandara has shared on YouTube that she finds eating broadcasts difficult and has even felt unwell from eating just one piece of beef in the morning. Despite trying to gain weight due to concerns about being too thin, any weight she gains quickly disappears when she returns to her usual eating habits.
Ahn So Hee
Former Wonder Girls member and current actress Ahn So Hee is known for her tiny food portions. On the MBC variety show I Live Alone, she became known for her slow eating habits, taking 2 minutes and 30 seconds to eat half an egg white and spending an hour consuming two pieces of bread, fruit, and Greek yogurt.
Code Kunst
Code Kunst, a composer and producer, has also appeared on variety shows like I Live Alone and The Manager, where he showcased his minimal eating habits. He typically consumes only bananas and sweet potatoes throughout the day and has even mentioned feeling full just from the smell of food. Despite his attempts to gain weight and active participation in meals on variety shows, he maintains a slim appearance.
IU
IU is known for her slow eating and thorough chewing. Her dentist has advised her to avoid excessive chewing to protect her teeth. IU once counted her chews and estimated she chews each bite about 150 times. Before performing, she often experienced stomach discomfort, leading her to stock her fridge with porridge for simple meals.
Winter
Winter from the girl group aespa is known for her minimal eating habits. She revealed that her entire family is small eaters, and she only eats enough to satisfy her hunger. Her family often cannot finish a whole chicken or an entire pizza. Winter also shared an anecdote from her trainee days when she wanted oden stew at home, but her mother prepared only enough oden skewers for the family.
Taeyeon
Taeyeon, who debuted with Girls’ Generation and is now more renowned as a solo artist, has admitted to being a small eater. On BamBam’s YouTube channel, she revealed that she has never experienced the joy of eating. While some enjoy dining out with friends after work, Taeyeon has never felt that way. Although she occasionally enjoys her favorite foods and snacks, she is known for her small appetite and typically cannot eat much.
LE SSERAFIM
Kim Chaewon, Sakura, and Hong Eun Chae from the K-pop girl group LE SSERAFIM have publicly confirmed their status as small eaters. On television, they have shared their surprisingly minimal eating habits. For instance, when preparing a single serving of ramen, both Sakura and Hong Eun Chae often share it and sometimes leave leftovers. Hong Eun Chae has mentioned that she stops eating even if she feels a bit full, while Kim Chaewon is known for being unable to finish an entire serving of rice. Sakura has also revealed that, even with her favorite foods right before her, she can’t eat more once she’s full. She has even envied people who can eat larger amounts.
Kim Kook Jin
Kim Kook Jin revealed that he does not enjoy eating on the JTBC variety show Worldview Clash: Let’s Eat. In a pre-show interview, he mentioned, “I’ve never experienced the pleasure of eating,” and noted that he had only eaten three pieces of kimbap that day. He added that his monthly food expenses are around 60,000 won (approximately $45). On the same show, he shared that his typical meal consists of only half a serving and demonstrated his eating habits by finishing a meal with just four pieces of meat at a barbecue restaurant.
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