Actor and Former Idol Reveals Experience of Weight-Based Bullying
Park Jihoon opened up about his brutal weight loss and harsh bullying from his youth during a recent appearance on the YouTube show Salon Drip on January 20, 2026.
He appeared alongside actor Yoo Hae Jin to promote their new drama The King’s Warden. Park Jihoon plays King Danjong, a role that forced him to drop over 15kg in just two months.
His co-star praised the transformation.
“Danjong is supposed to look hollow and worn out after being exiled, but Jihoon had gained weight. Then when I saw how much weight he lost by the time filming started, it made me trust his acting and his follow-through.”
— Yoo Hae Jin
Park Jihoon admitted he had gained weight during a hiatus after Weak Hero. The rapid loss was necessary for the role, but that wasn’t the only struggle he shared.
He revealed he was bullied as a child actor, targeted for both his weight and strong regional dialect. Growing up in Masan, Park said his peers mocked him, questioning how someone “that fat” could be on TV. The insults left him feeling isolated.
“I didn’t have many friends growing up. I’m from Masan, so my dialect was strong. I was also chubby, so people made fun of me me, saying, ‘He’s that fat but he’s on TV?’ I thought people didn’t want to be friends with me because of the way I talked.”
— Park Jihoon
Despite the tough past, Park Jihoon grew into his looks. He rose to fame as one of the popular members of Wanna One before transitioning fully into acting.
Images from Salon Drip:
