K-Pop and K-Dramas have taken the world by storm, and with that wave comes a fascination with the seemingly effortless physiques of Korean celebrities. But behind the flawless skin and captivating performances lies dedication, discipline, and carefully curated fitness routines. Let’s dive into the workout secrets of three prominent K-celebs: BTS’s Jungkook, LE SSERAFIM, and Song Hye-kyo.
Jungkook’s Intense Bodyweight Blitz
Jungkook, the youngest member of BTS, is known for his impressive physique and boundless energy on stage. His workout routine is surprisingly simple, focusing on bodyweight exercises that can be done anywhere, anytime. This makes it accessible to fans worldwide who want to emulate his fitness.
The No-Equipment Workout
Jungkook’s routine is a circuit that can be repeated multiple times for a more intense workout. Here’s a breakdown:
- Squats: 20 reps. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, lower your hips as if sitting in a chair, keeping your back straight and knees behind your toes.
- Push-Ups: 20 reps. Start in a plank position, lower your body until your chest nearly touches the ground, and push back up. Modify on your knees if needed.
- Jump Squats: 20 reps. Perform a squat, and as you stand up, jump explosively.
- Pike Push-Ups: 20 reps. Start in a plank position, lift your hips to form an inverted V shape, and lower your head towards the ground.
- Shoulder Blade Planks: 10 reps. Also known as scapular plank push-ups, lower your body up and down (similar to the motion of a push-up)
- Mountain Climbers: 20 reps. Start in a plank position, alternate bringing your knees to your chest as quickly as possible.
- Crunches: 20 reps. Lie on your back with knees bent, and lift your head and shoulders off the ground.
- Burpees: 15 reps. Start standing, squat down, kick your feet back into a plank, do a push-up, return to plank, jump your feet back in, and stand up with a jump.
- Leg Raises: 20 reps. Lie on your back and lift your legs straight up into the air.
- Supermans: 20 reps. Lie on your stomach, lift your arms and legs off the ground simultaneously.
Cardio and Consistency
In addition to this bodyweight circuit, Jungkook incorporates cardio into his routine. As a member of BTS, he spends hours each day in dance practice, which is a fantastic form of cardio. For those who aren’t professional dancers, running, biking, or rowing are excellent alternatives. Aim for burning 700-1000 calories during cardio.
Additional Workouts
- 100 Squats: In a live stream, Jungkook mentioned doing 100 squats as soon as he wakes up.
- Ab Workout: He also includes 30 reps of an ab workout, which may include exercises like crunches, leg raises, and plank variations.
- Lunges: Two sets of 20 lunges to improve lower body strength and toning.
- Plank: A one-minute normal plank followed by a one-minute side plank on each side.
Diet
While specific details of Jungkook’s diet are not widely publicized, it’s generally understood that he eats three meals a day with light snacking in between. His diet includes eggs, chicken breast, and sautéed or boiled vegetables.
LE SSERAFIM’s Intense Core-Focused Challenge
LE SSERAFIM, known for their hit songs and captivating performances, has a workout routine that has gained significant attention for its intensity. This routine is designed to build core strength, improve stamina, and promote weight loss.
The Viral Workout Routine
This routine is challenging and requires a good level of fitness. Newbies should start with moderate versions of the workout and level up gradually.
- 100 Jumping Jacks: A classic cardio exercise to warm up the body.
- 100 Burpees: A full-body exercise that combines a squat, push-up, and jump.
- Jump Squats: Two sets of 10 reps.
- Plank Crawl: Three-minute plank crawls (to the beat of their song “I’m Fearless”).
- Plank Up and Downs: Two sets of 10 reps. Start in a plank position and alternate between forearm plank and regular plank.
- Plank Twists: Two sets of 10 reps. Rotate your hips from side to side while in a plank position.
- Crunches: Three sets of 25 reps.
The members reportedly do this routine for two hours, two times a day.
Benefits of LE SSERAFIM’s Workout
This workout routine provides several benefits:
- Core Strength: Exercises like plank crawls, plank up and downs, and plank twists effectively target the core muscles.
- Muscle Definition: The routine can help provide muscle definition and a smaller waist, especially for those with a low body fat percentage.
- Calorie Burning: Cardio exercises like jumping jacks, burpees, and jump squats are great for losing weight.
- Overall Strength: The routine combines strength, muscle, and cardio, making it a total workout.
Diet
LE SSERAFIM’s intense workout is complemented by a balanced diet. While specific details are not readily available, it’s understood that they focus on consuming nutritious foods to fuel their bodies and support their active lifestyle.
Song Hye-kyo’s Holistic Approach: Yoga and Skincare
Song Hye-kyo, a celebrated actress known for her roles in K-dramas like “Autumn in My Heart” and “Descendants of the Sun,” maintains her youthful glow and slender figure through a holistic approach that combines fitness, diet, and skincare.
Fitness Routine
Song Hye-kyo is passionate about fitness and works out at least four days a week. Her favorite activities include:
- Yoga: Yoga helps her gain a flexible and toned body shape, improves mental peace, and promotes overall body wellness.
- Pilates: Pilates is excellent for achieving a well-toned and ripped body shape.
- Spinning: A high-intensity cardio workout that burns calories and improves cardiovascular health.
- Kickboxing: A full-body workout that combines cardio and strength training.
- Walking: She also walks whenever possible and enjoys jogging along the Han River.
She also makes it a point to stay active. It’s well-known that taking your dogs for a walk is also a great way to stay fit, and Song Hye-kyo seems to do this quite frequently. She has shared that her skin looks better when she exercises and breaks a sweat. Regular exercise is fantastic for both mental well-being and skin health.
Diet
Song Hye-kyo maintains a healthy diet, avoiding carbohydrate drinks, junk foods, and oily foods. She focuses on eating:
- Vegetables: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Tofu: A great source of protein and low in calories.
- Fish: Provides omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein.
- Pumpkin: Packed with nutrients and fiber.
She also starts her day with two glasses of water. She often substitutes rice with tofu, which she says helps her feel satiated but not too full.
Skincare Secrets
Song Hye-kyo’s radiant skin is not just a result of genetics but also a dedicated skincare routine:
- Cleansing with Milk: She uses milk as the last step in her cleansing process, warming it up to a comfortable lukewarm temperature and pouring it directly on her face. Milk contains AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and rich minerals, which gently remove dead skin cells while keeping the skin moisturized and supple.
- Sulwhasoo Products: She swears by Sulwhasoo’s beauty range, starting her routine with Sulwhasoo’s Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Water EX, followed by the serum, cream, and mask from the brand’s Concentrated Ginseng line.
- Regular Facials: She gets regular facials on her off days to rejuvenate her skin.
- Healthy Lifestyle: She incorporates a balanced diet and regular exercise into her routine, which impacts how her skin feels and reacts.
Key Takeaways
These K-celebrity fitness secrets highlight the importance of:
- Consistency: Regular exercise is key to achieving and maintaining a healthy physique.
- Balanced Approach: Combining cardio, strength training, and a healthy diet is crucial for overall fitness.
- Holistic Well-being: Taking care of your mental and emotional health is just as important as physical fitness.
- Personalization: Find a routine that works for you and that you enjoy.
- Dedication: Achieving a celebrity-like physique requires dedication and discipline.
While genetics play a role, these K-celebs demonstrate that hard work and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle can lead to impressive results. So, take inspiration from their routines and start your own fitness journey today.