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Why Are Koreans So Skinny and Thin? (Secret’s Revealed)

Jason Park
Published by: Jason Park
Last updated:

You might be wondering why Koreans are so skinny.

Well, to be honest… it’s not as complicated as you think it might be. Most Koreans try to follow the beauty standards that almost all Koreans follow.

This includes dieting to the extreme, working out, and getting “fat-shamed” all the time.

Now of course, not everyone goes through this since some people are also born with perfect genetics.

But the main reason why Koreans are so skinny and thin is because of their extreme dieting and the beauty standards they follow. Koreans tend to eat food that has a lot of different flavors.

They also eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. Carbs are usually not a big part of their diet, which is why most Koreans only eat a small bowl of rice, often with side dishes like kimchi or stew.

As for working out, a lot of Koreans go to the gym on a regular basis. They also engage in physical activities such as dancing, working out, or even just taking a walk.

Now you must know that Korean beauty standards are very common.

Everyone talks about it, even if you’re just a little overweight you’ll get people sayin’

  • “몸매 평가 = Body Shaming”
  • “돼지 = Pig”

Now a days you don’t hear it very often, but back in the days South Korea was very close-minded. Even though, you can’t blame them for being like this.

Because there weren’t many foreigners in South Korea, these days you see them everywhere.

From Gangnam to Jongno, you can find people of all different races and colors.

Luckily, Koreans are getting more loosen up and are starting to accept people for who they are, no matter what their weight is.

How To Lose Weight Like Korean Locals Do

Losing weight like Korean locals do is basically going for walks, jogging, or working out at a gym.

It’s pretty simple, but many people think that it’s more complicated than it actually is.

Every year when I go back to Seoul, I see that there are gyms everywhere. Everywhere you go, there are gyms that are 24/7 open.

This is perfect if you want to go for a quick workout and get right back to work. It’ll prevent you from gaining weight, and it doesn’t take a very big chunk out of your day.

Koreans also love to go for walks, no matter what the weather is like.

That’s why it’s always busy in the streets and you see so many people out and about. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend that you go for a walk in the park.

Not only is it good for your health, but it’s also a great way to clear your mind.

And lastly, many Koreans also love to dance.

You can often find them in clubs or at norae bang “노래방”. Also called Karaoke, these are extremely popular in Seoul even foreigners love them.

You can dance, sing and have a ton of fun with your friends. Going here will help you lose a lot of weight fast, especially if you dance a lot.

It’s one of the traditional Korean ways to have fun and stay in shape.

Are Korean Diets Healthy To Follow?

In general, Korean diets are one of the best. Foods like Kimchi, Bibimbap and Tteokbokki are all very healthy and will help you lose weight.

But of course, there are caveats…

If you want to lose weight the healthy way, then you need to make sure that you’re not following an unhealthy diet. Here are some of the most popular diets:

Kimchi Diet

The kimchi diet is based on the side dish Kimchi.

This traditional Korean dish is made of fermented vegetables, usually cabbage, and it’s often served with rice. It’s very low in calories and fat, and it also contains a lot of fiber.

The kimchi diet is perfect for people who want to lose weight, but be careful not to eat too much of it.

Too much kimchi can cause stomach problems, and it’s also very spicy.

If you want to follow the kimchi diet, check it out here.

Ulzzang Diet

The Ulzzang diet is based on the Korean pop culture. This diet is all about eating healthy, but it’s also about looking good.

The term “Ulzzang” comes from the Korean word for “handsome”, and it’s often used to describe people who have the best facial features.

If you want to follow the Ulzzang diet, then you need to make sure that you’re eating healthy foods that will help you lose weight, but that will also make you look good.

Some of the best foods to eat on this diet include fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. You can find the whole diet here.

IU Diet

IU… Yes, the singer.

The most popular solo artist in Korea has her own diet, and it’s actually very effective.

The IU diet is all about eating small meals throughout the day, and it’s based on the theory that you shouldn’t eat more than 300 calories per meal.

If you want to follow the IU diet, check it out here. (not recommended)

Living an Active Lifestyle (Secrets To Lose Weight Fast)

Living an active lifestyle is extremely important, especially if you’re serious about losing weight fast.

The majority of people that want to lose a bit of weight never get started. Sadly, that’s the most important part of losing weight.

People tend to eat a lot of food and lay on the couch all day, not doing any type of physical activity. And then they wonder why they’re not losing any weight.

If you start doing one of these three main activities, you will feel like a Korea, which loses weight extremely fast. You’ll not only get more skinny, but it’ll also increase your confidence.

That’s what everyone wants these days.

Having a body like the K-pop idols. Keep in mind that they go through extreme diets, so don’t try these yourself without a professional that keeps you in check.

Dancing

Dancing is a great way to burn calories, and it’s also a lot of fun. You can join a dance class, or you can just go out clubbing with your friends.

Dancing is a great way to stay active, and it’s also a great way to socialize. Plus, it’s a great way to meet new people.

There are many classes that require dancing like:

  • Samba
  • Traditional Korean Dancing

Or you could join 1MILLION DANCE STUDIO.

They are extremely popular and have over 25 million subscribers.

Going for a Walk

Going for a walk in the beautiful Namsan Park or Seoul Forest will blow your mind.

The environment is so clean and serene, it’s hard to believe that you’re in the middle of a metropolitan city.

And the best part?

It’s extremely great for Koreans that want to lose weight fast or stay skinny.

Exercising

Exercising is a common way to lose weight fast all around the world, but it’s especially common in Korea.

There are many gyms and fitness centers that you can join for no more than $30/mo.

If you want to lose weight fast, try following this 15-minute beginner workout that is based on K-pop idols.

Conclusion

All in all, there are many different diets and lifestyles that Koreans live by in order to stay skinny or lose weight.

The most important part is to be active throughout the day and to make sure that you’re eating healthy foods.

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    About The Author

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    Jason Park

    Jason has been living in Seoul for over 4 years, and during that time, he has experienced many of the city's hidden stores. He loves to write about his experiences and share them with others. Jason has been quoted and referenced by different major media companies like Mashed, Distractify, ThePrint and TastingTable. In his free time, he likes to watch Korean dramas and learn more about Korean culture.

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