Shin Gi-ru reveals why she refuses Mounjaro: 'There would be no joy'

Comedian Shin Gi-ru has candidly revealed why she chooses not to use the obesity treatment Mounjaro for weight loss. Her confession—that she values the joy derived from food and stress relief more than the act of losing weight itself—stands in stark contrast to the recent social atmosphere surrounding obesity and dieting.

Appearing on the YouTube channel 'Park Jun-myeon's Shyness' released on the 9th, Shin shared stories about her eating habits and weight while preparing food with Park Jun-myeon.

When Park mentioned the obesity treatment Mounjaro, Shin remarked, "Many people ask me why I don't use it either." She explained that as more people choose GLP-1 class drugs for weight loss, people around her frequently suggest she use Mounjaro.

However, Shin's response was unexpected. Regarding her reason for not using Mounjaro, she said, "I think there would be no joy in life."

She further revealed the significance of food in her daily life, stating, "The only thing I do to work and relieve stress is thinking, 'What should I eat?' after I'm finished."

To Shin, food is not merely a means to satisfy hunger. The process of contemplating what to eat after a hard day's work is a source of joy in itself, and a lifestyle of relieving stress through food has become firmly established.

This differs from the recent formula in the entertainment industry and popular culture where 'weight loss = self-management.' In an environment where a celebrity's weight change becomes content and how many kilograms they lost in a short period becomes a hot topic, Shin instead did not hide the psychological and cultural meaning food holds for her.

Shin has openly discussed her weight changes on various broadcasts in the past. She revealed that her weight reached 100kg as soon as she entered her 20s after graduating high school, and it increased to 120kg as she entered her 40s.

Nevertheless, she claimed that her portion sizes at each meal are not enormous. On this day, Shin explained, "I don't eat a lot," noting that she cannot even finish a single roll of kimbap, one pack of ramen, or a full bowl of rice.

Rather than eating a large amount of one type of food, she said she tends to eat small amounts of various kinds of food. She drew laughter by introducing her eating habits, saying, "I can eat half a roll of kimbap, half a sandwich, half a pack of ramen, or half a bagel."

Shin's food preferences were also evident in her cooking style. While helping Park, she confessed, "I haven't cooked my whole life. I don't like cooking for myself. I like buying food."

However, she added that even delivery food is not her absolute favorite. Shin explained, "I don't even like ordering delivery. I like eating at restaurants," noting that delivery food seems to lose its flavor if it isn't eaten immediately after ordering.

Despite this, the amount she spends on food is considerable. Shin surprised those around her by stating her monthly delivery fees amount to "3 to 4 million won." Given the context, the comment appears to mean several million won, hinting at her extraordinary dining lifestyle.

However, such remarks should be taken into account considering Shin's characteristic exaggerated way of speaking and the variety show context. No data was presented to confirm the actual monthly expenditure as objective consumption records.

Her decision not to choose Mounjaro should also be viewed separately from any negative views toward obesity treatments themselves. This is because the decision to use obesity treatments, including Mounjaro, is a matter to be decided with medical professionals by comprehensively considering an individual's health status, treatment purpose, and the possibility of side effects.

What is important in Shin's remarks is not a judgment on the efficacy of drugs or dieting methods, but rather a candid confession of what food means to her. It signifies that she is making her own choice between the benefits of losing weight and the satisfaction gained from food.

In particular, rather than hiding her body type for a long time, Shin has actively utilized it as material and a character for her broadcasts. While the image of a 'person who eats' has become a unique trait in her comedy and variety activities, there was likely a personal struggle regarding her weight and eating habits behind the scenes.

Recently, as perspectives shift toward treating obesity as a chronic disease rather than a simple matter of willpower, treatment methods are diversifying. At the same time, for celebrities who are constantly evaluated on their appearance and weight, weight loss is often linked to image and professional competitiveness beyond just health.

In such an environment, Shin's confession poses a slightly different question. It is not 'how thin will she become,' but rather 'what will she have to give up to lose weight?'

Ultimately, for Shin, food is not just a matter of calories or weight that can be converted into numbers. It is a small reward she gives herself after a day of labor, a way to connect with people, and sometimes a joy that helps her endure the monotony of life.

This is why Shin's eating habits cannot be judged by the number 120kg alone. Her choice not to use Mounjaro should be viewed as a deeply personal judgment of what brings joy to her life, rather than a statement on the right or wrong way to diet.