[Sportschosun Lee Ji-hyun] Hyeri, an actress and former member of Girl's Day, has spoken candidly about the controversy over an apparent “belly fat illusion” sparked by her fan meeting outfit.
On the 16th, Hyeri shared her honest feelings through a fan communication platform, saying, “I actually like myself, but people watching may think I’m not being professional,” and added, “(Though I don’t know why you have to be thin to seem professional), if my Hyerumi fandom wants it, I’ll try! I’ll work out and stay healthy.”
Earlier, on the 13th, Hyeri kicked off her Asia fan meeting tour with the 2026 Hyeri Asia Tour Fanmeeting in Seoul at Samsung Hall, Ewha Womans University in Seoul. She spent a special time with fans through a variety of talks and performances, but the outfit she wore during the show drew unexpected attention.
In released photos, Hyeri appeared on stage wearing a body-hugging sleeveless dress. On some online communities and social networking services, people said the fabric, wrinkles, and lighting angle made her midsection look more prominent than it really was, and the so-called “belly fat controversy” quickly spread.
Fans, however, came to her defense, saying it was simply an optical illusion caused by the outfit and camera angle. In fact, another stage outfit worn that same day clearly revealed her slim waistline and lean figure, drawing attention.
After the controversy, Hyeri posted behind-the-scenes photos from the fan meeting on her SNS with the caption “Night Version.” In the photos, she exuded a chic charm in a black leather-style crop top and hot pants. Even with the bold styling that exposed her waist and abdomen, she showed off a toned physique and directly addressed the so-called “belly fat controversy.”
Fans have also been sending support, saying, “She doesn’t look overweight at all,” “Her healthy appearance looks better,” and “People overreacted over a simple optical illusion.”
Meanwhile, after successfully wrapping up the Seoul show, Hyeri is set to continue her fan meeting tour across major Asian cities, including Macau, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, and Taipei.
olzllovely@sportschosun.com
