In a recent broadcast that has captured the attention of fans and beauty enthusiasts alike, acclaimed South Korean actress Kim You Jung revealed a rigorous and somewhat startling addition to her daily self-care regimen. During a special program celebrating the legacy of the hit historical drama Love in the Moonlight, the actress demonstrated a specific technique used to maintain her camera-ready appearance even after late-night filming and social gatherings. The revelation has sparked widespread discussion regarding the discipline required of top-tier Hallyu stars and the lengths to which they go to maintain their public image.
The broadcast, which aired on September 23 via KBS 2TV, provided a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the personal habits of one of South Korea’s most beloved actresses. The special program served as a reunion for the primary cast of the 2016 sensation Love in the Moonlight, bringing together Kim You Jung alongside co-stars Park Bo Gum, Jin Young, Chae Soo Bin, and Kwak Dong Yeon. The group, who have maintained a close friendship in the years following the drama’s conclusion, spent their final night of a shared trip bonding over ice cream and conversation until the early hours of the morning. Despite the lack of sleep, Kim You Jung’s commitment to her morning routine remained unshaken.
The Morning Routine: A Commitment to Aesthetics
As the sun rose on the final day of the cast’s excursion, Kim You Jung was the first to wake, heading directly to the kitchen to begin her skincare preparation. Viewers were surprised to see the actress fill a large pot with water and a significant amount of ice. Once the water reached a near-freezing temperature, she proceeded to repeatedly dip her face into the icy mixture for several seconds at a time. This practice, often referred to in the beauty industry as "face icing" or "cold water immersion," is designed to rapidly reduce facial puffiness (edema) and tighten the skin by stimulating blood circulation and constricting blood vessels.
For Kim You Jung, this is not merely a one-time remedy for a late night but a disciplined part of a larger self-care philosophy. Having spent more than two decades in the public eye, the actress is acutely aware of the visual demands of her profession. The "ice pot" method, while jarring to some viewers, is a testament to the meticulous nature of her daily life. The immediate results were visible on screen, as the actress appeared refreshed and ready for the day’s filming, despite having stayed up until dawn with her colleagues.
A Career Built on Early Discipline
Born in 1999, Kim You Jung’s journey in the entertainment industry began at the remarkably young age of four. Debuting as a television commercial model in 2003, she quickly transitioned into acting, earning the title of "Korea’s Little Sister" due to her precocious talent and endearing public persona. Her career trajectory is a rare example of a child star successfully transitioning into a leading adult actress without the hiatuses or public struggles that often plague young performers.
Her filmography is a catalog of South Korean cultural milestones. From her breakout role in the 2012 fantasy period drama Moon Embracing the Sun to her leading performance in Love in the Moonlight, Kim has consistently delivered high-rated performances. More recently, she has expanded her range with roles in modern hits like Backstreet Rookie and the 2023 fantasy-romance My Demon. Throughout these twenty years of active work, Kim has been known for her professionalism and an unwavering work ethic—qualities that were reflected in her disciplined morning routine shown on KBS.
The Psychological Toll of Weight Management and Public Image
While the ice water routine highlights the physical aspects of her self-care, Kim You Jung has also been candid about the psychological challenges of maintaining the "perfect" actress physique. In an interview released last November on the Fairy Jae Hyung YouTube channel, the actress opened up about her complicated relationship with food and dieting.
"My family are big eaters," she confessed during the interview. "When I was young and at my peak appetite, I was often scolded for eating too much, which was frustrating at the time. I’ve always been someone who eats a lot, and for a long time, eating was everything to me."
The actress further explained that the pressures of the industry eventually forced her to view food through the lens of weight management rather than enjoyment. "After years of dieting and managing my weight so strictly, I eventually lost the joy of eating. It became a task rather than a pleasure," she admitted. This revelation offers a sobering look at the reality of the Hallyu industry, where physical appearance is often tied directly to professional longevity. The transition from a child actor, whose appetite is seen as "cute," to an adult leading lady, whose weight is a matter of public scrutiny, is a difficult path that Kim has navigated with significant personal sacrifice.
Scientific and Industry Context: Why the Ice Routine?
The practice of face icing demonstrated by Kim You Jung is not unique to her but is a well-known "insider secret" within the global modeling and acting communities. Dermatologists note that cold water immersion can provide several immediate benefits:
- Reduction of Inflammation: The cold temperature causes blood vessels to constrict, which can significantly reduce redness and swelling, particularly around the eyes and cheeks.
- Lymphatic Drainage: The shock of the cold can help stimulate the lymphatic system to drain excess fluid that accumulates overnight.
- Pore Appearance: While cold water cannot permanently change pore size, it can temporarily tighten the skin, making pores appear less visible and providing a smoother base for makeup application.
In the context of South Korean variety shows and "behind-the-scenes" content, these glimpses into celebrity health regimens often set trends among the general public. However, experts also warn that extreme cold can cause skin irritation or broken capillaries in those with sensitive skin, emphasizing that what works for a professional actress under the pressure of a high-definition camera may not be necessary for the average individual.
Continued Success and Upcoming Projects
Kim You Jung’s dedication to her craft and her image continues to pay dividends as she prepares for her next major television project. She is set to star in tvN’s upcoming weekend drama, 100 Days of Deception. This production holds particular significance as it is part of a special slate of programming celebrating the 20th anniversary of the network.
Scheduled to premiere on October 10, 100 Days of Deception is expected to be a high-budget production that will further cement Kim’s status as a "bankable" lead. Her involvement in such a high-profile project underscores the industry’s trust in her ability to carry a series, both through her acting prowess and her consistent public appeal. The anticipation for the drama is high, with industry analysts predicting it will be one of the top-performing series of the final quarter of the year.
The Legacy of Love in the Moonlight
The special program that featured Kim’s morning routine also highlighted the enduring popularity of Love in the Moonlight. Even years after its original broadcast, the drama remains a staple of the "Hallyu Wave," credited with launching the careers of its young cast into the stratosphere. The camaraderie displayed by Kim You Jung, Park Bo Gum, and their fellow cast members during the special broadcast suggests that the bond formed during the grueling filming schedules of 2016 remains strong.
This sense of community is often cited by actors as a vital support system in an industry that can be isolating and high-pressure. Seeing the cast interact naturally—eating ice cream and sharing stories—provides fans with a sense of continuity and reassures them that the chemistry seen on screen was rooted in genuine friendship.
Conclusion: The Reality of Being a Top Star
The "unexpected" morning routine of Kim You Jung serves as a reminder that the effortless beauty seen on television screens is rarely effortless. It is the result of years of habit, a strict adherence to self-care, and a professional mindset that views every morning as a preparation for the next role.
As Kim You Jung moves forward with 100 Days of Deception, her transparency about her routines—from the physical shock of ice water to the emotional struggles of dieting—adds a layer of human depth to her celebrity persona. She remains a figure of inspiration for many, not just for her talent, but for the resilience and discipline she has maintained throughout a career that spans nearly her entire life. For viewers, the sight of a top star dipping her face in ice water is a vivid illustration of the dedication required to remain at the pinnacle of the South Korean entertainment industry.
