Ryu Hye-young denies dieting, says weight is same as 'Reply 1988' era

Actress Ryu Hye-young has addressed recent online speculation regarding her slender physique. She explained that her appearance is not the result of dieting, but rather natural bodily changes and consistent exercise, noting that her weight has remained almost unchanged for nearly 10 years.

In a YouTube Shorts video titled "The Truth About Dieting?" released on her channel 'Ryu Hye-young Lemon and Milchihui' on the 16th, Ryu candidly addressed the curiosity surrounding her physical transformation. Following her recent appearance on the MBC variety show 'I Live Alone,' where her slimmer look sparked various speculations, she stepped forward to clarify the facts.

In the video, Ryu asserted, "I have never dieted, and in fact, I haven't lost weight," adding, "Since I turned 25, I have never intentionally gone on a diet to reduce my weight." She further elaborated, "The reason my body looks different is partly due to the natural loss of facial fat and baby fat as I age, and also because my method of exercising has changed significantly."

She specifically explained that changes in her exercise habits had a significant impact on her appearance. "I have been exercising continuously, but after changing trainers, I have focused on posture correction and body balance," Ryu said. "As my muscle usage and body alignment changed, I think I began to give a different impression than before." This caught attention as it aligns with recent fitness trends that focus on body alignment and functional improvement rather than simple weight loss.

Above all, Ryu emphasized that there was almost no change in her weight itself. "Since 'Reply 1988,' my weight has always fluctuated only within a range of 1 to 2kg," she said with a laugh, adding, "Please think of this not as a grand behind-the-scenes story, but as a time to clarify the facts."

Recently in the entertainment industry, there have been many cases where changes in physique appear more prominent than changes in weight. Experts analyze that even if actual weight change is not large, appearance can change significantly due to a complex combination of factors such as changes in body fat distribution according to age, muscle mass, posture correction, filming environments, and styling. Ryu's case is interpreted as an instance where these factors converged, leading to comments about her being "skinny.'

Ryu gained public recognition for her role as Sung Bo-ra in the 2015 tvN drama 'Reply 1988' and has solidified her position as an actress through her realistic acting and ability to portray unique characters. Recently, she has once again captured viewers' interest by revealing her unvarnished daily life through MBC's 'I Live Alone.'

However, she confessed that as interest grew, her psychological burden also increased. On the program, Ryu admitted, "Since 'Reply 1988,' I realized that a lot of attention is focused even on a single word I say," and "From that time, I became more cautious about meeting people and speaking." She continued by sharing her honest inner self as an actress living under the public eye, saying, "I am still fearful and anxious, so I often live with the curtains drawn at home."

This clarification serves as a reminder that rather than making indiscriminate speculations about appearance changes, a perspective that considers healthy lifestyle habits and natural bodily changes is needed. By explaining that her appearance is the result of consistent exercise and body management rather than weight loss, Ryu sent a cautious message to a social atmosphere that tends to judge health status or lifestyle based solely on outward appearance.