Choi Jun-hee reveals photos after losing 54 kg, warns of risks of being extremely underweight [Health Talk]

According to The Financial News, Choi Jun-hee (22), an influencer and daughter of the late actor Choi Jin-sil, has drawn attention by revealing her appearance before and after dieting. She shared proof of her weight-loss journey and disclosed her current weight.
According to Choi Jun-hee’s social networking service (SNS), she recently wrote, "These days I keep seeing ads for diet products, and there are so many that use AI to fake weight gain and loss." She added, "You know I’m the real deal, right? My past is very clear." Along with this, she uploaded a video contrasting her former heavier figure with her current slim look. She also posted a photo of a scale reading 41.8 kg to verify her present weight.

Choi previously confessed that while battling systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), her weight once climbed to 96 kg. She has since lost about 54 kg. She explained that her main strategies were eating Korean Witch Soup and checking her weight regularly. When she was at her heaviest, she said she started with light aerobic exercise at a walking pace to protect her joints.
Choi Jun-hee said, "The most delicious, simplest, and most effective for losing weight is Korean Witch Soup," and shared a photo of the soup she made herself. Korean Witch Soup is a low-calorie dish made by simmering various vegetables and fruits such as carrots, celery, broccoli, and potatoes in water for a long time. Because it is mostly vegetables and water, each bowl contains only about 50–100 kcal. Its high water and dietary fiber content can make it more filling than solid foods, which may help with dieting. However, experts point out that it can lack essential nutrients such as protein and fat, so it is not suitable as a long-term diet.

Choi Jun-hee mentioned that she keeps three scales at home and checks her weight frequently. Such constant weighing creates a "self-monitoring" effect. In behavioral psychology, self-monitoring is considered one of the factors that contribute to successful weight loss, as it continually reminds people of their goals and helps them adjust their behavior.
Aerobic exercise burns a lot of calories and increases fat oxidation, making it effective for reducing body fat. However, as in Choi’s case, if running while overweight causes joint pain, it is recommended to start with lower-impact activities such as walking, strolling, or slow jogging.

Being underweight, often described as looking "skin-and-bones," can harm health, so it is essential to maintain an appropriate weight for one’s height. Underweight is generally defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 18.5.
People who are underweight are more likely to be in a state of nutritional deficiency. When nutrients are lacking, immunity declines and the risk of infectious diseases increases. They may also experience delayed wound healing, fatigue, and lethargy. Reduced bone density raises the risk of fractures even from minor impacts. Women may suffer from menstrual cessation or infertility due to hormonal imbalances.
In this regard, a study by the Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, found that the risk of death in the underweight group was 1.9 times higher than in the obese group. Researchers concluded that this is because chronic diseases or surgery are harder to recover from, and low muscle and fat mass impair key physiological functions such as immunity, hormone regulation, and body temperature control.
hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter