K-pop star issues public apology and promises to diet after cruel backlash over weight gain

A major K-pop star has publicly apologized to her fans after receiving backlash for gaining weight. 

Jang Ye Eun, best known by her stage name J as a member of South Korean girl group Stayc, sparked some chatter online in recent months after appearing slightly curvier during a number of live performances. 

The 19-year-old addressed the speculation around her weight in a post to fans this week, where she admitted that she'd started working out and dieting to slim down.

'To be honest, I saw the fancam and I'm sorry I didn't maintain my figure well,' she wrote, according to AllKPop.

'I'm going to go on a diet a little. I'll do it slowly while eating good food. Hehe.'

Her apology drew a strong reaction both domestically and internationally, with most people stating that her weight gain was not only minimal, but also flattering. 

'Feel so bad for her. The apology culture is terrible. Poor girl apologising for being healthy...,' one fan wrote.

'I should be on a diet, not her. She is very skinny already!!!' another wrote.

A third added, 'That’s so unnecessary. Like, she is perfect how she is - no need to apologize.'

'You don't look fat at all and you look prettier than when you were skinny,' a fourth fan chimed in. 

Stayc debuted in 2020 and quickly established themselves as one of South Korea's most popular girl groups thanks to top 10 hits like ASAP and Teddy Bear.

South Korea is known for having some of the strictest beauty standards in the world, and is revered for its cutting-edge plastic surgery procedures and skincare.

Some of the most common physical features considered beautiful in the country include a V-line jaw, pale skin, double eyelids, a thin high nose, and a small face.

According to statistics, nearly 25 per cent of women aged 19 to 29 in South Korea have undergone plastic surgery.

The unrealistic beauty standards in the country have since sparked backlash, particularly from feminist groups. 

In 2022, a popular cosmetic surgery reality series was shut down following growing criticism from the public.

The show, titled Let Me In, saw people come in and plead their case to receive a plastic surgery makeover so that they could improve their lives.

Last year, K-pop star Hyuna admitted to eating just one piece of a Korean dish a day to maintain her slender physique. 

The K-pop veteran, who was just 15 when she debuted on the music scene, said she survived off sushi so that she could keep her weight down to 88lbs (40kg).

'Back then, I'd survive on a single piece of kimbap while pushing through all the scheduled activities. And that destroyed me. By 26, I was so unhealthy,' she revealed on B-Season.