As growing numbers chase ‘geongangmi’ look, critics argue it’s yet another narrow beauty ideal imposed on women
When Yoo Wonhee was younger, she had a frail body and didn’t think of herself as strong. She says in the past, many Koreans would starve themselves in order to be skinny. Now, Yoo spends time trying to build muscles and says her chiselled physique is the envy of her peers.
“I just think having muscles looks cooler. I don’t want to be skinny, I want to be bigger. Social standards do exist of course, but for me, there is no better standard than being satisfied with yourself,” the 26-year-old says.
