Singer Shinji has addressed the rumors surrounding her recent appearance, clarifying that changes to her face were caused by jaw joint disorders rather than cosmetic surgery. She drew sympathy from fans by revealing a diagnosis of trismus (difficulty opening the mouth) and severe jaw joint abnormalities so significant that the cartilage on one side of her jaw has completely worn away.
In a video released on the YouTube channel 'How Are You?!?' on the 8th, Shinji and her husband Moon Won visited an oriental medicine clinic for an eight-constitution test and a general health checkup. Having previously received a shocking diagnosis regarding her lack of muscle mass, Shinji spoke candidly about her jaw joint issues during this visit.
When the production crew asked, "Your jaw joint isn't in good shape either, is it?", Shinji explained her condition without hesitation. She stated, "My jaw is in such bad shape that it has worn down. There is no cartilage at all on one side of my jaw."
She continued, "My malocclusion is also very severe, and although I tried treatment, it didn't improve as much as I hoped. As I get older, I feel like my mouth is gradually curling inward. Because I grind my teeth so severely while sleeping, my jaw itself has been pushed backward."
Recently, Shinji had been the subject of online speculation that she underwent orthognathic surgery due to changes in her facial structure. Having previously expressed her frustration by denying the rumors, she used this broadcast to once again clarify that the changes in her mouth shape were due to long-standing jaw joint disease, not cosmetic procedures.
After examining Shinji's condition, the oriental medicine doctor delivered a diagnosis more serious than expected. He noted, "You have trismus," and added, "There are significant problems with the jaw joint itself."
He also noted that jaw joint issues can be linked to other health concerns, asking, "When the jaw joint is not healthy, instability in the autonomic nervous system often appears as well."
In response, Shinji revealed that she had attempted various treatments in the past. "I have received acupuncture treatments before," she said, adding, "At one hospital, they even recommended surgery."
She explained why she had declined the procedure: "However, they said it was a surgery that required an incision on the outside of the face, which could leave scars. Since my profession requires me to continue broadcasting, I ultimately gave up on the surgery."
The doctor then performed simple manual therapy, after which Shinji reflected on her physical state. She remarked, "I think the reason my shoulders keep hurting is that I am using other muscles to compensate," and the doctor identified the fundamental cause as a lack of muscle mass.
The doctor warned, "There is a possibility that various joints will hurt even more in the future. Joints need to be supported by muscles, but currently, your muscle mass is too low."
He advised, "You must build muscle strength through exercise and consume sufficient protein. In particular, it is important to maintain your body temperature by consistently eating warm foods rather than foods that make your body cold."
Earlier in the same broadcast, Shinji was also shocked to learn that her muscle mass was significantly lacking based on a body composition test. The doctor remarked, "It is surprising that you can even walk," explaining that she needs to increase her muscle mass by approximately 12kg and that her current physique is a state of 'skinny fat'—being underweight but having a high body fat percentage.
After confirming her health status, Shinji expressed her shock, saying, "I really didn't know it was this serious." Through this broadcast, she is receiving support from viewers as she honestly shares the reasons behind her physical changes and her ongoing struggles with chronic jaw joint disease and muscle deficiency.
