Popular Korean Actresses Who Gained Weight For K-Drama Roles

Some K-Drama roles require physical transformations, such as new haircuts, makeup styling, and either gaining or losing weight. These actresses showed true dedication to their craft by packing on pounds for their projects.

1. Han So Hee

After concluding her hit romance series Nevertheless, Han So Hee made headlines for her drastic transformation in the Netflix production, My Name.

Part of Han So Hee’s transformation into a ruthless revenge seeker involved putting on more muscle for her action scenes. In an interview, the actress revealed that while preparing for these scenes, she gained weight.

Since I have been exercising a lot and eating a lot as well, I gained about 10kg (22lbs).

— Han So Hee

For My Name, Han So Hee was forced to keep up with her workouts, which she revealed has increased her athletic abilities.

My athletic ability has gotten way better following ‘My Name,’ so I have been learning how to kick box these days.

— Han So Hee

2. Lee Sung Kyung

Lee Sung Kyung gained weight for one of her most iconic roles to date, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo.

While guesting on BTS Suga‘s YouTube show Suchwita, she talked in detail about the grueling process she underwent to perfect her appearance as Kim Bok Joo.

Since Bok Joo is a weightlifter, Lee Sung Kyung put on nearly 10kg (22lbs)–in just 15 days. This was due to Lee Sung Kyung’s tight schedule. She went from finishing the filming for The Doctors to starting Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo two weeks later.

Unfortunately, this rushed weight gain took a toll on Lee Sung Kyung. She told Suga that she ended up suffering from indigestion and gaining stretch marks.

3. Gong Seung Yeon

According to her professional profile, Gong Seung Yeon stands at 5’5″ (165cm) and weighs 97lbs (44kg). As such, she needed to gain weight to play one of her roles.

For the comedy-horror movie Handsome Guys, Gong Seung Yeon gained 17.6 lbs (8kg) for the role of university student Mi Na. In an interview, the actress revealed that she wanted to look more cute and youthful for the role and that, as such, she was a frequent customer at the on-set snack truck.

4. Krystal [f(x)]

f(x)’s Krystal starred in the comedy film, More Than Family, where she played pregnant woman Kim To Il.

In an interview, Krystal said that the film’s director told her to stop dieting and instead encouraged her to put on more weight by increasing her food intake.

So I went to eat out a lot with the director. I ate the main course, had dessert, had more food, had more dessert. I purposely gained weight. I ate 3 to 4 meals a day.

— Krystal