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Actor Park Kyung-hye said she lost 2 kilograms in five days ahead of an awards ceremony, then shared footage of herself happily eating a full meal afterward, saying it had been a long time since she had eaten rice.
Park recently posted a video on her YouTube channel, "Gyeonghye Bolrae," documenting her preparations for attending the 2026 Seoul International Drama Awards as a presenter.
On the day of the ceremony, she was shown eating tonkatsu kimbap and said, "It's been so long since I've had rice" and "Carbs make the world look brighter." She then revealed she had shed the weight over the preceding five days, adding, "I lost 2 kg in five days. That's a lot, right?"
Losing 1 to 2 kilograms over a few days is not uncommon. However, not all of that weight necessarily comes from body fat. Short-term fluctuations can be significant depending on food intake, carbohydrate consumption and the body's fluid levels.
Much of the drop in weight over five days may reflect fluid loss rather than fat loss. Body weight is made up of multiple components — fat, muscle, bone and water. Cutting back on food reduces not only body fat but also the amount of fluid in the body and undigested food remaining in the digestive tract.
Early weight loss can be particularly rapid when carbohydrate intake is reduced.
Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and used as energy. Some are stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen, which binds to water — so when glycogen levels fall, the body loses water along with it.
Each gram of glycogen is generally understood to hold about 3 grams of water. When carbohydrate intake drops suddenly, stored glycogen and the water bound to it are depleted, causing the number on the scale to fall quickly.
Medical literature on obesity treatment from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) also notes that in the early stages of a low-carbohydrate diet, fluid loss tends to outpace actual fat loss.
Salt intake also affects body weight. Eating salty food can temporarily increase fluid retention, while reducing sodium intake below one's usual level causes the body to shed water, lowering the scale reading.
Eating less also means less food sitting in the stomach and intestines, which contributes to short-term weight changes.
For all these reasons, losing 2 kilograms in five days does not mean exactly 2 kilograms of fat was burned. Actual body fat reduction depends on energy intake, expenditure and physical activity over that period.
When carbohydrates are reintroduced after rapid weight loss, glycogen and fluid are replenished and some weight returns. That increase does not mean new fat has been stored.
Park's comment that "carbs make the world brighter" points to a real physiological role. Carbohydrates are the body's primary energy source, supplying the glucose the brain and nervous system rely on and fueling muscles during exercise.
Cutting carbohydrates too severely can reduce exercise capacity and cause persistent fatigue. For people who are physically active or do strength training, adequate energy intake is particularly important.
Many people assume they must eliminate carbohydrates entirely to lose weight, but that is not the case. The NIH notes that for long-term weight loss, total caloric intake matters more than the ratio of carbohydrates to fat. Low-carbohydrate diets can produce weight loss, but they are not the only path to reducing body fat.
During a diet, it is better to manage the type and amount of carbohydrates consumed rather than cutting them out altogether. Sugary drinks, snacks and sweet breads pack a large number of calories into a short eating window. Brown rice, mixed grains and whole grains provide dietary fiber, which helps sustain a feeling of fullness.
Increasing exercise while already under-fueled on carbohydrates can worsen fatigue. Even while losing weight, it is important to maintain enough energy for daily activities and workouts.
Sustaining weight loss over time matters more than rapid short-term results, and protecting muscle mass through diet and exercise is key.
How eating habits are maintained after a short-term reduction is just as important as the loss itself.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that people who lose weight gradually — about 0.45 to 0.9 kilograms per week — are more likely to keep it off long-term than those who lose it quickly.
The appropriate pace of weight loss varies with starting weight, health status and activity level. Rather than simply pushing the number on the scale down quickly, it is better to structure a diet that reduces body fat while preserving muscle mass.
Adequate protein intake is important. Eggs, fish, meat, tofu and legumes all supply protein. Eating vegetables and whole grains alongside protein provides dietary fiber and helps maintain satiety.
Drastically cutting food intake is hard to sustain over time. Accumulated hunger can lead to overeating in a single sitting.
Combining aerobic exercise with strength training is the most effective approach. Activities such as walking, cycling and swimming increase energy expenditure and improve cardiovascular fitness, while strength training helps preserve muscle mass and strength during weight loss.
The CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week along with strength training on at least two days a week.
Consistency in measurement conditions also matters when tracking weight. Body weight can shift throughout the day depending on food and fluid intake. Weighing oneself in the morning after using the bathroom, under similar conditions each time, makes it easier to track meaningful trends.
When weight drops sharply over a short period, it is worth focusing on the long-term trajectory rather than the day-to-day numbers. Some weight returning as carbohydrate and fluid intake normalizes is a natural part of the process.
Park lost 2 kilograms over five days before the awards show and then shared footage of herself enjoying a meal. Because short-term weight loss reflects changes in both body fat and fluid levels, managing weight through balanced eating and consistent exercise is more important than severe caloric restriction.
rainbow@heraldcorp.com
