Red Velvet member Wendy (孫承歡) recently served as the MC for the 'Boryeong K-POP SUPER LIVE' in Boryeong City, South Chungcheong Province. The event featured groups like izna, RESCENE, and CRAVITY, but Wendy's physique unexpectedly drew more attention than the performances themselves.
Wendy took the stage in a white mini-dress, openly showcasing her arms. Photos from the event quickly went viral on social media. Many fans and netizens observed that her arms appeared much thinner than before, and her overall frame seemed significantly reduced. This led to widespread concern for her health, shifting the discussion from her outfit to her physical condition.
Related photos subsequently became a trending topic on the Korean forum theqoo, quickly surpassing 100,000 views. Many Korean netizens lamented, "In the past two years, a new beauty standard has emerged in Korea: the thinner the upper arms, the better; the thinner the inner thighs, the better. People don't realize how dangerous this is. Instead of constantly encouraging childbirth, the government should provide mental health services for everyone."
Most netizens focused on Wendy's health, commenting: "Being too fat is an illness, and being too thin is also an illness." "How did she get this thin? Is she eating properly?" "She was already incredibly thin, but recently she seems to have lost even more weight... But if news of health problems comes out later, she'll probably post a clarification saying she's healthy, even healthier than before." "She's beautiful without needing to lose more weight. She might be fine now, but for her health, please eat more." "I was shocked when I saw her concert fancam on Shorts; she's really too thin. It's incredible that she can still hit high notes with a body like that." "When I was 170cm tall and weighed 48kg, I wasn't this thin, and I already felt exhausted then. How is she managing to perform at events?" "Is she feeling unwell somewhere? I hope she can sing healthily for a long time." "If the title hadn't said it was Wendy, I wouldn't have recognized her at all."
Some netizens also found her facial changes more shocking than her weight loss, commenting: "More than her thinness, I'm shocked that her face isn't what I remember." "Not just thin, even her face has changed so much... Where is the Wendy I remember?" However, others defended her, stating: "It seems she doesn't like people discussing this because she feels healthy... If that's the look she's aiming for, then I just hope all female idols stay healthy."
Additionally, an audience member who attended the event shared: "I was there, and she sang well and hosted steadily; she seemed to be in good spirits, but I was still surprised when she first walked on stage. However, there were over a dozen artists performing that day, and other idols' physiques were actually quite similar. After seeing it, I started to wonder if it's truly right for humanity to consume 'people' as an industry."
Overseas fans also flocked to social media to express their concern, commenting: "The stylist should have chosen a dress with sleeves for her; her arms are getting thinner and thinner. I don't know what's happening." "While I know it's almost impossible for K-pop idols not to pursue extreme thinness, Wendy, please eat more. I hope you take good care of your body."
The pursuit of an "extremely thin aesthetic" in the Korean entertainment industry has frequently sparked discussion in recent years. Many netizens connected Wendy's current appearance to the popular weight loss trend, reigniting public debate over idol body standards.
Meanwhile, Red Velvet is set to make a full-group comeback after two years. As the comeback countdown begins, fans are not only anticipating new music but also hoping that Wendy and the other members remain healthy, ready to greet their long-awaited return in optimal condition.
