Soyou reveals 20kg weight loss in 6 months “My muscles looked too bulky, so I switched to cardio”

Former SISTAR member and singer Soyou opened up about the reason behind her significant weight loss, revealing that she lost 20kg over six months after shifting her workout routine.

On the May 2 broadcast of JTBC’s variety show 'Knowing Bros' (Episode 527), a special featuring main dancers vs. main vocalists from idol groups, Soyou appeared alongside B1A4’s Sandeul, Highlight’s Kikwang, and ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Hanbin.

During the episode, Soyou’s recent diet became a topic of conversation. She explained that while preparing for her 2023 release “PDA,” she realized that performance concepts involving revealing outfits made muscle tone more visually important. However, she noted that her body condition changed depending on whether she was performing ballads or dance tracks.

“I used to lift heavy weights a lot,” she said. “But last year, I mainly focused on bodyweight workouts and a lot of cardio.” Soyou added that she felt her muscles looked too bulky under certain styling, which led her to adjust her exercise routine to create a leaner appearance for performances.

When asked how much weight she had lost, Soyou surprised the cast by revealing, “20 kilograms.” She also shared that the transformation took approximately six months.

Previously, Soyou drew attention after disclosing her dramatic body transformation, reportedly going from 68kg down to 49kg through consistent diet and exercise management. 

Her candid explanation on the show highlighted the physical demands placed on performers in the K-pop industry, where visual concept and stage styling often influence fitness routines as much as health or performance goals.