On May 11, 2026, fans and reporters gathered at Megabox COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, expecting a typical movie premiere. Instead, they were treated to a striking transformation: Super Junior’s Shindong, long known for his candidness about his weight struggles, appeared at the VIP screening of the biographical film 'Michael'—about the life of pop icon Michael Jackson—sporting a noticeably slimmer figure and a sharper jawline. The buzz was immediate, both at the event and online. Photos of Shindong flanked by bandmates Eunhyuk and Leeteuk quickly circulated, with fans exclaiming, “I didn’t even recognize him!” and “He really nailed his diet this time.” According to Health Chosun, many netizens echoed these sentiments, marveling at his visible weight loss.
Shindong’s journey has hardly been private. Over the past year, he’s openly chronicled his ups and downs with weight loss, sharing milestones and setbacks through variety shows and social media. Early in 2026, he posted updates that left fans stunned at his progress. But as he revealed on JTBC’s 'Knowing Bros,' the road was anything but smooth. “Praise me—I finally got my weight down to double digits,” he said, explaining that he started at 106 kg and managed to shed 8.2 kg, breaking below the 100 kg mark. Yet, he admitted that after losing a dramatic 37 kg in just five months back in 2025, the weight crept back—an all-too-familiar yo-yo effect—within three months. The candid confession resonated with many who know the struggle of keeping weight off after a big loss.
What made Shindong’s story particularly relatable was his willingness to try—and talk about—every available tool. In July 2025, he revealed that he’d begun using the obesity drug Wegovy, a much-discussed injectable treatment whose main ingredient is semaglutide. Developed by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. According to Health Chosun, it works by stimulating insulin secretion, suppressing blood sugar spikes, and making people feel full for longer—essentially, it helps curb appetite by keeping food in the stomach longer. In South Korea, doctors prescribe it for patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 30 kg/m², or over 27 kg/m² if they also have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
But as with any medical intervention, there’s no miracle cure. Shindong himself joked about his experience: “As soon as the injection diet came out, I tried it. I went up to 1.7 doses but didn’t see any change,” he quipped, according to Newsen. He recalled his doctor saying, “You must feel full since your digestion is slow,” but Shindong replied he felt fine. The doctor responded, “Shindong, you’ve even overcome Wegovy!”—a tongue-in-cheek nod to his notorious appetite. Fans online wondered aloud if he’d changed medications or found a new method for his recent weight loss, highlighting the ongoing curiosity and speculation around his health journey.
Wegovy’s popularity has soared in recent years, but experts urge caution. While the drug can deliver significant weight loss, it’s hardly a one-size-fits-all solution. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and indigestion. More rarely, patients might experience gallstones, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, fatigue, headaches, or even hypoglycemia, as reported by Health Chosun. And perhaps most frustrating for users is what happens when they stop taking it: the infamous yo-yo effect. Appetite returns with a vengeance, and if muscle mass has been lost during the weight loss phase, the basal metabolic rate drops, making it easier to regain weight even if eating habits haven’t changed.
The numbers tell a sobering story. Dr. Sam West’s research team at Oxford University analyzed data from over 10,000 patients who’d used obesity medications like Wegovy. Their findings, cited by Health Chosun, showed that after discontinuing the drug, patients gained weight at an average of 0.4 kg per month—about four times faster than those who’d lost weight through diet and exercise alone. Those who relied on medication took just 1.7 years, on average, to return to their pre-treatment weight, compared to 3.9 years for the diet-and-exercise group. The implication is clear: while obesity medications can jumpstart weight loss, keeping it off is a different battle altogether.
Medical professionals consistently stress that drugs like Wegovy should never be the sole strategy. “It’s important to combine obesity drugs with long-term lifestyle changes, including improved eating habits and regular exercise,” experts told Health Chosun. To minimize muscle loss during weight reduction, strength training is especially recommended. And when it comes time to stop the medication, it shouldn’t be a cold-turkey affair. Gradual tapering under medical supervision is key, rather than making abrupt changes without consulting a doctor—a step that can help reduce the risk of rapid weight regain.
Shindong’s openness about his setbacks is part of what makes his story resonate. On KBS 2TV’s 'Problem Child in House,' he shared, “After losing 37 kg in five months, I gained it back in just three.” His honesty about the struggle—about how even the most promising treatments have limits—has sparked a broader conversation about the realities of weight management, especially for public figures constantly under the spotlight.
The May 11 VIP screening itself was a star-studded occasion, with Shindong, Eunhyuk, and Leeteuk standing together on the photo wall, their camaraderie on full display. The event previewed 'Michael,' the much-anticipated biographical film chronicling the life and performances of Michael Jackson, which is set for release on May 13, 2026. The film’s subject—another global star who faced intense scrutiny over his appearance and health—added a poignant layer to the evening’s themes of transformation and resilience.
As images from the event spread, fans continued to speculate about Shindong’s latest approach to weight loss. Was it a new drug, a stricter diet, or simply willpower? The truth, if Shindong’s history is any guide, is probably a bit of everything: medication, diet, exercise, and a healthy dose of humor. His story serves as a reminder that while medical advances offer new tools, the fundamentals of weight management—consistency, lifestyle change, and support—remain as important as ever.
For now, Shindong’s transformation stands as both an inspiration and a cautionary tale. Quick fixes may grab headlines, but sustainable change, as he and many experts agree, is a marathon, not a sprint.