We’ve all heard about insane Korean diets that will help you shed kilograms drastically. But what about the foods they eat to attain the coveted porcelain complexions and silky smooth hair?
Many Korean stars adopt multi-step skincare routines and hair regimens from a young age. However, their flawless appearance is mostly attributed to the foods they consume. After all, you are what you eat as research has shown that nutrition has the biggest impact on how we look other than genetics.
As such, we’ve rounded up some of the foods Korean celebrities swear by to give you those luscious locks and luminous skin for the summer.
1. Sandara Park
Is it just us or does Sandara Park never seem to age? The 36-year-old former 2NE1 girl group member seems to defy the laws of time with her youthful appearance that she even earned herself the nickname “vampire”. Other than her diligent skincare routine, the secret to her glowing skin and healthy tresses is none other than salads!
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Not only is a salad a great way to squeeze in the daily recommendation of four servings of vegetables, but a thoughtfully made one contains all the nutrients you need to get gorgeous skin. From proteins to essential minerals to vitamins and antioxidants, salads may be the answer to all your beauty concerns.
If you’re worried about skin ageing, consider adding in some avocado and olive oil as they are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids that keep your skin supple. Plus, they help to prevent brittle hair and hair loss!
2. Jessica Jung
Ex-Girl’s Generation member Jessica Jung swears by kombucha in her diet vlog to help reduce puffiness and bloating as well as drinking her skin into a luminous and dewy state of gorgeousness.
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This is because kombucha is a source of beneficial bacteria and yeast as well as vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B12 that promote healthy gut health and encourage your skin to glow from inside out. Additionally, the B-vitamins also strengthen your health and nails.
Experts recommend that you drink kombucha daily at any point or time (except late at night due to traces of caffeine) and try not to have it with anything extremely hot as it can kill the beneficial microbes.
3. Kim Go Eun
You may recognise her as the bubbly high school student in the hit K-drama Guardian: The Great and Lonely God, but actress Kim Go Eun is far beyond her schooling years as she turns 30 this year! “How does she keep her fresh and youthful appearance?” you may ask. The answer to that is surprisingly barley tea.
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Rich in vitamins like procyanidin-B3, thiamin, and niacin as well as iron and copper, barley tea is great for hair growth and preventing hair loss. It is filled with antioxidants which are effective in preventing wrinkles in your skin. Be it hot or cold, barley tea also makes a great refreshing drink on a hot day (plus, it contains ZERO calories).
4. Lee Min Ho
Go Eun’s co-star Lee Min Ho is not new to the hair and skincare acclaim either. His suave Korean oppa look has landed him contracts with some of the most prestigious brands like Louis Vuitton and Fendi, as well as becoming a brand ambassador and starring in commercials for Innisfree and Lazada.
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He is constantly spotted with a packet of Korean red ginseng extract in his hand which we deem as responsible for his thick locks and flawless complexion. Not only does it boost your immune system and energy levels, but red ginseng extract has many beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which are great for people with eczema or acne.
5. Son Ye-jin
One of South Korea’s top actresses, Son Ye-jin’s career in the entertainment industry spans more than 20 years. However, the 39-year-old looks like she hasn’t aged a day since her debut. Even after two decades under the spotlight, her skin and hair have never looked better.
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While she credits her radiant glow to face masks, she also understands that an effective beauty routine goes beyond skin deep and routinely drinks a lot of water and eat fruits every day.
She even grows her own persimmon tree in her backyard and consumes the fruit to get her daily dose of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fibre. It is also a common ingredient in many serums for its brightening and moisturising benefits that help to keep ageing skin at bay.
6. Ha Ji-won
Not only is she the empress in Empress Ki, but Ha Ji-won is also dubbed the “Queen of beautiful skin” by many Korean media outlets. She even owns her own skincare line, J.One, which has been raved about for its Jelly Pack. While she may be 42 years old, the actress still manages to look like she is in her 20s because she emphasises the importance of hydration in her diet.
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Although she advocates drinking tons of water, she also falls prey to a little alcohol every now and then. However, she switches it up by drinking her own concoction of lemon soju, which is made up of one bottle of soju, three lemons, tonic water, sprite, and a spoonful of honey.
7. Im Soojung
Probably Korea’s most famous vegan celebrity, the 41-year-old actress is known for her ageless beauty and is well sought after by many cosmetics brands. However, Im Soojung stands her moral ground and only partners with vegan and cruelty-free companies — one of them being Melixir.
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In addition to her clean beauty skincare, her social media is filled with photos of her favourite vegan meals, including a lot of vegetables, nuts, and fruits.
One of her favourites is a mushroom and sauerkraut toast. Sauerkraut not only boosts gut health but is also incredibly rich in vitamin C, essential for a healthy complexion as it bolsters the production of collagen and protects your skin from free radical damage. The added mushrooms also keep hair healthy and shiny as it contains selenium, a compound that makes up the structure of your hair.
8. Seolhyun
AOA’s Seolhyun is also another fan of superfood salads, but what caught our attention is her bowl of pumpkin soup topped with roasted pumpkin seeds.
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Unbeknownst to many, pumpkin is a powerhouse of vitamins and nutrients, including niacin, riboflavin, B6, and folate which helps to increase blood circulation and treat acne.
It is rich in zinc and potassium which reduces skin inflammation and increases the production of collagen to give you soft, bouncy skin. The high amount of vitamin C in pumpkin also strengthens hair follicles for healthier locks.
The best part? Pumpkin is relatively low in calories so you don’t have to worry about weight gain.
9. Jackson Wang
He may be a Hong Kong rapper who’s based in China, but Jackson Wang is undoubtedly one of the biggest K-pop idols around. He is next on our list for his secrets to his blemish-free and glowing skin.
As the global ambassador for L’Oreal Men Expert, he fuels his body with the healthiest options to maintain a flawless complexion while keeping up with his bustling lifestyle.
Source: @jacksonwang852g7
As seen in Food Diaries, Jackson drinks a special detox juice consisting of grapes, strawberries, cabbage, orange, apples, and honey. Strawberries and oranges are great sources of vitamin C to help your body produce collagen which brightens the skin tone and nourish hair. Honey is also an incredible anti-ager, keeping the skin plump and strong while preventing breakouts.
10. Kim Tae Hee
Last but not least, how could we not take beauty advice from one of South Korea’s most beautiful women? At 41 years of age, Kim Tae Hee’s skin is still as fresh as a baby. So what food does she consume to look like she has never aged?
Source: @kimtaehee99
Reports say that the actress drinks a cup of carrot juice every day. Not only do carrots contain high levels of potassium, magnesium, calcium, and are the best source of beta-carotene, which helps whiten and even your skin tone, but they are scientifically proven to promote blood circulation in your scalp to promote hair growth and make your locks shinier and thicker.
