Recently, Chinese member of popular South Korean girl group (G)I-DLE, Song Yuqi, who was previously described by netizens as being as thin as a “sheet of paper”, revealed on social media on September 7 that she had gained “5 kilograms” right after completing her vacation. Facing the weight gain of the female celebrity, the comment section unusually did not show any body image anxieties or criticisms. Instead, there was a wave of support and blessings, with many expressing that “health is the most important”.
In March of this year, Song Yuqi suffered an unexpected injury during a tour but continued to shuttle between China and South Korea with an extremely packed schedule, covering world tours, group comebacks, personal album production, and more. This led to a sudden drop in her weight, falling below 90 pounds. Even her iconic “champagne legs” had disappeared, making her pants look loose. The once prominent chubby cheeks had completely vanished, with her facial contours transforming from round to sharp, prompting netizens to describe her as having become as thin as a “stick” or a “sheet of paper”.
Song Yuqi once revealed on a program that during her trainee days, in order to meet certain standards, she resorted to extreme measures by “losing 4 kilograms in a week”, surviving solely on a cup of iced Americano coffee each day. This extreme dieting eventually led to her developing gastroesophageal reflux and severe hair loss.
During a recent holiday break, Song Yuqi finally had ample time to eat and sleep properly. In a live broadcast, she first announced, “The vacation is over, back to work,” and later during interaction with fans in the comment section, she jokingly said, “Gained 5 kilograms, but it feels like I’ve gained back my life.” Presently, her cheekbones are subtly returning, and her overall appearance exudes a brighter and healthier vibe compared to before.
One fan teased, “Finally, you’ve gained weight. This makes me happier than getting a raise.” This signifies that the public is no longer blindly chasing the abnormal “skinny beauty” but rather hopes that idols can possess real warmth, heartbeat, and health.
At 26 years old, since her debut as a member of the South Korean girl group (G)I-DLE in 2018, Song Yuqi has achieved remarkable success in both the Chinese, Korean, and global markets with her distinctive deep voice, outstanding singing and dancing skills, and vibrant variety show presence. She has not only transitioned from a “popular girl group member” to a “versatile talented solo artist” but has also been deeply involved in the production of group and individual works, with multiple high-quality self-composed songs such as “Radio (Dum-Dum)”, “Last Forever”, “Neverland”, and “All Night”, establishing herself as a new generation of singer-songwriter.