Content warning: The article below contains mentions of extreme diets and physical transformations.
Actors going to extreme lengths to prepare for a role have been a talking point in the entertainment industry, and Korean actress Han Hyo Joo is no exception. Following her recent stint in the hit Disney+ K-drama Moving, the star continues her crime-leaning streak in Believer 2, where she is reportedly set to play a villain.
But to attain the character’s muscled physique, Hyo Joo revealed that she had to go through a rigorous process involving an extreme workout and diet.
LOOK: Han Hyo Joo Reveals Her Extreme Diet and Workout for Her Villain Role in “Believer 2”
In an Open Talk session during the 28th Busan International Film Festival on October 5, the actress joined the rest of the cast of Believer 2, an upcoming film slated for wide release on Netflix. In the crime action thriller centered on Asia’s largest drug organization, the Korean star portrays an antagonist named Big Knife, which was originally intended to be a male character.
During the talk, Hyo Joo discussed the difficulty of building muscle while maintaining the slender frame expected of the character. According to the actress, the film’s director Baik had envisioned a “slender but ripped” visual for Big Knife, resulting in Hyo Joo having to work out on a regular basis.
The actress’ workout routine involved weight training for muscle-building, while she only ate eggs and bananas for lunch. Meanwhile, the afternoon was designated for fat loss, as Hyo Joo focused on cardio exercises.
Hyo Joo pointed out a specific scene in the film that turned out to be the most demanding. This also resulted in her having to monitor and lessen her water intake.
“In the last action scene, I tear up all my clothes, and at that time, my body–that was built so far–needs to be exposed, so I tried the dehydration method for the first time in my life,” the actress said in a translation by Koreaboo. “I didn’t drink even a sip of water for three days and took out all the hydration from my body.”
However, the discussion seemingly ended in a light note, when director Baik had bowed his head to her and “officially” apologized.
Watch the teaser for Believer 2 below.
Believer 2 will premiere on Netflix on November 17, 2023.
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