Actor Formerly an Idol’s Latest Appearance Sparks Fresh Focus on Significant Weight Change

Eric is facing fresh buzz over his changed look after new photos popped up online.

On June 17, 2026, a Chinese restaurant in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, shared snaps of Eric dining there with his parents. The casual khaki T-shirt and cap didn’t hide the fact: Eric looks noticeably fuller and more relaxed than fans remember from his peak acting days.

The restaurant said:

“He came with his parents and enjoyed the meal. Standing next to him, he was tall and handsome. Thank you for enjoying the food, giving us a thumbs-up, and visiting our humble place.”

This weight gain isn’t new news. Back in April, when Eric attended Shinhwa member Lee Minwoo’s wedding, fans already spotted that he had put on some pounds.

Discussion about Eric’s appearance started years ago. In 2023, viral photos had fans worried about his health. But people close to him denied those rumors. They said Eric was focusing on his marriage and life off the screen.

Eric himself spoke out:

“The photo was taken during the early days of parenting, when he had not been sleeping well.”

Fans reacted with mixed but mostly supportive comments:

“He was more handsome and successful than anyone in his prime, and that’s enough. He looks happy, so that’s all that matters,”
“Men gain weight when they raise children too,”
“He probably managed himself so strictly when he was active, but now that he’s married and peaceful, he’s eating what he wants,”
“It looks like he’s working hard at parenting. He can lose weight later, so I hope he spends a lot of good time with his children without regrets.”

Eric debuted with Shinhwa in 1998 and gained fame as an actor with dramas like Phoenix, Super Rookie, Wolf, Que Sera, Sera, and Another Miss Oh. His last drama was The Spy Who Loved Me in 2020. Since then, he’s been on a six-year acting hiatus.