From 80kg to Confidence: Lee Young-ah's Honest Weight Journey

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Korean Reading Practice
From 80kg to Confidence: Lee Young-ah's Honest Weight Journey
Date: September 28, 2026

Introduction

Actress Lee Young-ah recently appeared on a Korean television program to share her weight management journey. She discussed how her weight has changed over the years and reflected on the challenges of staying healthy as she has grown older. Her story offers viewers insight into the realities of weight management in the entertainment industry.

Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
배우 baeu actress; actor 배우 이영아가 나왔어요.Actress Lee Young-ah appeared.
프로그램 peurogeuraem program; show TV 프로그램을 봤어요.I watched a TV program.
체중 chejung body weight 체중이 늘었어요.My weight increased.
관리 gwalli management; care 건강 관리가 중요해요.Health management is important.
중학교 junghakgyo middle school 중학교 때 무거웠어요.I was heavy during middle school.
킬로그램 killogeuraem kilogram 80킬로그램이 넘었어요.It exceeded 80 kilograms.
쉽다 swipda easy 어릴 때가 더 쉬워요.It was easier when I was younger.
어릴 때 eoril ttae when (one was) young 어릴 때 살이 적었어요.I had less weight when I was young.
사진 sajin photograph 옛날 사진을 봤어요.I saw an old photograph.
용기 yonggi courage 용기를 얻었어요.I gained courage.
여러 번 yeoreo beon multiple times; several times 여러 번 말했어요.I said it several times.
공개하다 gonggaehada to disclose; to reveal 경험을 공개했어요.She disclosed her experience.

Reading Text

배우 이영아가 지난 27일에 TV 프로그램 '퀸메이커'에 나왔어요.

Actress Lee Young-ah appeared on the TV program "Queenmaker" on the 27th.

이영아는 자신의 체중 관리 경험을 이야기했어요.

Lee Young-ah talked about her weight management experiences.

중학교 때 이영아의 체중은 80킬로그램을 넘었다고 했어요.

She stated that her weight exceeded 80 kilograms during middle school.

최근에는 체중이 70킬로그램으로 늘었어요.

Recently, her weight increased to 70 kilograms.

이영아는 어릴 때가 지금보다 체중 관리가 더 쉬웠다고 말했어요.

Lee Young-ah said that weight management was easier when she was younger than it is now.

프로그램 제작진은 중학교 때 이영아의 사진을 화면에 보여줬어요.

The program's production staff showed a photograph of Lee Young-ah from her middle school years on screen.

함께 출연한 김정은은 그 사진을 본 시청자들이 용기를 얻을 거라고 했어요.

Fellow panelist Kim Jung-eun said that viewers who saw that photograph would gain courage.

이영아는 지금까지 여러 번 체중 감량 경험을 공개한 적이 있어요.

Lee Young-ah has previously disclosed her weight loss experiences multiple times.

Grammar Points

-(으)ㄴ 적이 있다 have done before

Attached to a verb stem to express that one has had the experience of doing something. Formation: verb stem + -(으)ㄴ 적이 있다.

📖 이영아는 지금까지 여러 번 체중 감량 경험을 공개한 적이 있어요. Lee Young-ah has publicly shared her weight loss experience several times up until now.

✏️ 저는 한국에 가본 적이 있어요. I have been to Korea before.

보다 more than

A particle meaning 'more than' used to make comparisons between two things. Attached directly to the noun being compared.

📖 이영아는 어릴 때가 지금보다 체중 관리가 더 쉬웠다고 말했어요. Lee Young-ah said that managing her weight was easier when she was young than it is now.

✏️ 오늘이 어제보다 더 추워요. Today is colder than yesterday.

Cultural Notes

In South Korea, the entertainment industry places significant emphasis on physical appearance and weight management, especially for actresses and female celebrities. Television programs that discuss weight loss and body management are popular and often feature celebrities sharing their personal journeys, which helps normalize conversations about health and fitness in Korean society. This cultural openness to discussing weight and appearance reflects both the competitive nature of the entertainment industry and a broader Korean interest in self-improvement and wellness.

Topics are inspired by current events in Korea. All lessons are original learning content written by Learn Korean Today.
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📝 Comprehension Questions

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Q1

What TV program did Lee Young-ah appear on?

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Q2

How much did Lee Young-ah weigh during middle school?

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Q3

What is Lee Young-ah's weight now?

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Q4

Did Lee Young-ah say weight management was easier when she was young or when she was older?

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Q5

What did Kim Jung-eun say viewers would gain from seeing Lee Young-ah's photograph?

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