Kholidah
The K-pop industry, a global powerhouse of cultural exports, has long been scrutinized for the intensive preparation processes mandated for its performers. Recently, the rookie girl group RESCENE brought these standards back into the public eye, revealing the stringent weight management protocols they endured during their time as trainees under THE MUZE Entertainment. During an appearance on the YouTube variety program Brewmaster Yun, members Liv, Zena, and Minami provided a candid account of the physical and psychological pressures associated with maintaining a specific aesthetic standard, highlighting the lengths to which both trainees and management go to ensure a group’s visual "readiness" for the public.
The Catalyst: A Sudden Visual Mandate
RESCENE, which has been garnering significant attention for its sophisticated concept and steady rise in popularity, was represented by three of its members as the first idol guests on the "Brewmaster Yun" channel. During the interview, the conversation shifted toward the pre-debut period—a phase often characterized by grueling practice schedules and strict lifestyle oversight. The members recounted a specific incident involving a visual director who was tasked with overseeing the group’s physical appearance ahead of a critical shoot.
According to the members, they had already been adhering to a diet to prepare for their debut activities. However, the results were deemed insufficient by the agency’s visual management staff. In a move that illustrates the uncompromising nature of idol aesthetics, the staff member gathered the trainees and issued a directive: each member was required to lose exactly 3 kilograms within a two-week window. This mandate was not merely a suggestion but a strict requirement, monitored by immediate, on-the-spot weigh-ins to establish a baseline.
Extreme Measures: The Physics of the Weigh-In
The members’ testimony shed light on the granular level of detail involved in these assessments. They noted that the agency would not overlook a discrepancy of even 0.1 kilograms. This lack of margin for error forced the members to resort to unconventional and extreme tactics to manipulate the numbers on the scale.
Liv, for instance, described the desperate measures she took when diet and exercise alone were insufficient to meet the deadline. In addition to caloric restriction, she resorted to cutting her hair and trimming her nails to their shortest possible length to shed every possible gram of weight. Minami added that she would remove her contact lenses and refrain from wearing any makeup during weigh-ins, as the cumulative weight of cosmetic products and ocular accessories was perceived as a potential risk to her target goal.
Furthermore, the members adopted a strategy of wearing the thinnest clothing possible during evaluations. They recalled standing on the scales without socks and in minimal attire, hoping that the reduction in fabric weight would compensate for the biological difficulty of rapid weight loss. These accounts highlight a broader industry trend where the "number on the scale" often takes precedence over healthy body composition or sustainable wellness.
Leadership Involvement and the Case of May
One of the more striking anecdotes shared during the program involved May, a member who struggled to meet the final weight target by the designated deadline. As the cutoff time approached, May remained 0.2 kilograms above her goal. In many entertainment agencies, such a failure could result in disciplinary action or removal from a debut lineup. However, in this instance, the CEO of THE MUZE Entertainment took a direct, hands-on approach.
Liv recounted how May was given a final opportunity to lose the remaining 200 grams within a few hours. To achieve this, she was required to remain in the practice room and engage in intensive cardiovascular exercise, specifically jumping rope. In an unusual display of executive involvement, the CEO reportedly joined May in the practice room, jumping rope alongside her until she reached the target weight.
Upon successfully losing the final 0.2 kilograms, the tension was finally broken. The members revealed that they were only permitted to eat a full meal together once every person in the group had met their specific weight requirement. This "all-or-nothing" approach to group management is a common tactic in K-pop, designed to foster a sense of collective responsibility and interdependence among members.
The Psychological Impact: Trauma vs. Bonding
While the measures described are objectively rigorous, the members of RESCENE framed the experience through a lens of resilience and group cohesion. They looked back on the period with a mixture of laughter and nostalgia, suggesting that the shared hardship was a foundational element of their current bond.
"We all dieted together, and when we secretly ate, we all ate together," the members shared during the interview. "When we got caught, we all got caught together. We couldn’t help but become close." This sentiment reflects a psychological phenomenon often seen in high-pressure environments, where external stressors and strict disciplinary structures lead to "traumatic bonding" or heightened group solidarity. By navigating the "drastic measures" together, the members felt their interpersonal relationships were strengthened, creating a unified front that they carry into their professional careers today.
Industry Context: The Evolving Landscape of Trainee Welfare
The revelations by RESCENE come at a time when the South Korean government and various industry watchdogs are increasingly concerned with the health and safety of young entertainers. In early 2024, the Seoul Metropolitan Council passed an ordinance specifically aimed at protecting the rights of youth trainees in the entertainment industry. The legislation focuses on preventing physical and mental health issues, such as eating disorders and excessive pressure regarding physical appearance.
Historically, the K-pop industry has been rife with stories of extreme dieting. Notable examples include BTS’s Jimin, who once revealed he survived on one meal every ten days during a particularly intense period, and Twice’s Momo, who was famously told to lose 7 kilograms in a week, leading her to eat nothing but ice cubes. Compared to these historical extremes, RESCENE’s requirement of 3 kilograms in two weeks may seem less severe to industry veterans, yet it underscores the persistent reality that "visual management" remains a non-negotiable pillar of the idol system.
Analytical Implications: The Cost of Perfection
From a business and sociological perspective, the "3kg in two weeks" mandate serves as a microcosm of the K-pop production model. The industry operates on a "perfected product" philosophy, where every aspect of a group—vocals, choreography, personality, and appearance—is meticulously curated before being presented to the global market.
The involvement of the CEO in May’s jump-rope session is particularly telling. It suggests a management style that is both demanding and paternalistic. While it can be viewed as supportive (the leader "suffering" alongside the trainee), it also reinforces the idea that the trainee’s body is a corporate asset that must be managed at the highest level of the organization.
Furthermore, the fact that the members now discuss these events with humor on public platforms suggests a normalization of these standards. For many idols, these experiences are viewed as a "rite of passage" rather than a violation of personal welfare. However, as K-pop continues to expand its influence in Western markets, where there is a greater emphasis on body positivity and mental health, agencies may face increasing pressure to modernize their training methods and move away from such extreme weight-loss requirements.
Current Standing of RESCENE
Despite the hardships of their trainee days, RESCENE has successfully transitioned into a promising career. Debuting under THE MUZE Entertainment, the group—consisting of Woni, Liv, Minami, May, and Zena—has been praised for their debut single "UhUh" and their subsequent releases. Their name, a play on the words "Re" and "Scene," or "Re-scent," reflects their concept of leaving a lasting olfactory-like memory on their audience.
The group’s ability to discuss their pre-debut struggles openly is seen by some fans as a sign of their authenticity and strength. As they continue to climb the charts, the narrative of their "grueling treatment" serves as a reminder of the immense effort required to break into the competitive Korean music scene. Whether these standards will continue to be the norm or if the industry is on the cusp of a health-oriented transformation remains a central question for fans, regulators, and the artists themselves.
