Son Ye Jin’s Brutal Red Carpet Prep Involved Chicken Breast & Daily Gym Sessions

Korean actress Son Ye Jin, 43, recently attended the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), where she promoted her first film in seven years, No Other Choice. 

While there, Ye Jin spoke about her very first experience at the festival, back when she was in her late 20s. 

“Actually I’ve forgotten about the details, I only remember the gown I wore. Before attending a film festival, the most important thing for an actress would be to choose our outfit, consider how much weight we have to lose, and we also have to find the right balance in the sexiness of our dresses,” she said. 

“As such, I went on an extreme, almost torturous diet — that’s just how it is for actresses,” continued Ye Jin, who with a smile, also declared that there's “no such thing as a free lunch” when it comes to dieting or acting. 

It’s no surprise that the actress subscribed to an equally stringent diet this time round, ahead of her appearances at both the Venice and Busan Film Festivals. 

Sharing about her routine in preparation for the events, Ye Jin said: “I ate so much chicken breast every day I felt like throwing up. I had to train my back daily at the gym, and it was all so I could have those few brilliant, but fleeting moments in the spotlight."

When Ye Jin’s friends saw her persistently working out, even when she was completely drenched in sweat, they felt bad for her. “People should know how hard you’re working,” they told her. 

Despite her tough dieting experiences, Ye Jin ended her message with a very positive takeaway.