Actor Lee Je-hoon Reveals Struggles of Weight Loss Down to 58kg: "I Felt Dizzy and Irritable"

Actor Lee Je-hoon has opened up about the difficulties he faced due to weight loss for a movie role. On the SBS PowerFM show ‘Hwang Je-sung’s Hwangjae Power’ aired on the 2nd, Lee Je-hoon and co-star Koo Kyo-hwan appeared as guests to discuss their film 'Escape'.

During the show, DJ Hwang Je-sung asked Lee Je-hoon about his significant weight loss for his role as a North Korean soldier. Lee Je-hoon revealed, “At my lowest, I weighed 58kg.”

He explained, “In the movie, my character, Gyunam, is constantly on the run and lives in harsh conditions. Despite this, he shares food with his companions whenever he finds it. Because the story involves being chased for three to four days, I had to maintain the weight loss, which led to me losing that much weight.”

Concerned, Hwang Je-sung asked, “At your height, weren’t you feeling dizzy with that weight?” Lee Je-hoon responded, “Whenever I ran or rolled, my head really spun.” He added, “I was careful with my diet, especially cutting down on carbohydrates, which made it extremely difficult and made me very sensitive. It was especially sad to see the food trucks every lunch and dinner, knowing I couldn’t eat.”

Lack of Carbohydrates Can Lead to Fatigue and Irritability

Many people, like Lee Je-hoon, cut down on carbohydrates when dieting. While carbohydrates are often seen as the enemy of weight loss, they are essential nutrients and a crucial energy source that should not be recklessly reduced.

A lack of carbohydrates means the body has less energy to use, leading to lethargy and mental fog. The brain, which heavily relies on carbohydrates, suffers when it doesn’t get enough glucose, resulting in decreased cognitive function.

Carbohydrates are also necessary for muscle preservation. They have a 'protein-sparing effect,’ which means consuming enough carbohydrates prevents protein from being used up in the muscles. Conversely, low carbohydrate intake during high physical activity leads to protein consumption from muscles, weakening them and hindering sustained physical activity. This could explain why Lee Je-hoon felt dizzy and exhausted while running and rolling.

Research also indicates that people on low-carbohydrate diets often feel irritable, fatigued, and stressed easily. Carbohydrates help produce serotonin, a chemical that boosts mood, so a reduction in carbohydrate intake can lead to mood swings and increased irritability.

Unrefined Carbohydrate Foods Help Manage Blood Sugar and Weight

Therefore, even during dieting, it is important not to completely cut out carbohydrates. Instead, choose healthy carbohydrate sources. Opt for whole grains and unrefined carbohydrate foods like brown rice and oats over white rice and white bread, which raise blood sugar levels quickly and can lead to obesity.

These foods are beneficial because they are rich in dietary fiber due to minimal processing. Dietary fiber reduces the absorption of glucose and cholesterol in the intestines, preventing rapid spikes in blood sugar and providing a lasting feeling of fullness. Eating unrefined carbohydrate foods can thus help with both blood sugar management and weight loss, offering a dual benefit.