Korean Celebrities Involved in Steroids Controversy: Namgoong Min, Kim Jong Kook [Updated 2023]
While fans get swooned by the good-looking, tall, and lean actors that are often projected on K-dramas, these Korean celebrities veer away from the norm and are known for their muscular bodies.
May it be for an upcoming project or simply the body they want to achieve, these stars turn heads with their bulky physique.
Unfortunately, these 3 Korean celebrities recently encountered allegations accusing them of steroid use.
Namgoong Min
When the award-winning actor returned to the small screen with "The Veil," fans were stunned by his stunning transformation.
From his toned body, Namgoong Min wowed everyone with his Hulk-like figure. Interestingly, he even gained the moniker of "Korean Hulk" because of his huge biceps, broad shoulders, and rock-hard abs.
Namgoong Min bulked up for his role in "The Veil" as he played the revenge-driven National Intelligence Service (NIS) agent, whose life changed after someone planned to assassinate him.
After months of having a strict diet and regularly spending hours in the gym, the actor gained 14kg of muscle before the start of the production.
He also showed off his transformation on his Instagram, leaving fans fascinated with his stunning physique.
Unfortunately, not all were impressed with his hard work as doping controversies hit Namgoong Min. Some accused the actor of using steroids to amp up his muscular body.
Amid this, the "Hot Stove League" star never addressed these rumors and was unbothered by the issue.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Lee Da In Confirmed To Couple Up With Namgoong Min In New Romance Drama
Fitness experts claimed that Namgoong Min's body was all-natural and a result of hard work.
As noted by an outlet, a YouTube video posted by HellChang TV examined the actor's physique by looking at his previous photos.
One even noted that the actor maintained a good figure for over 15 years, and bulking up is not surprising to see. Another one commented, "It is pathetic that such a controversy has developed."
Kim Jong Kook
Before 2021 ended, Kim Jong Kook faced controversy. He was accused of using steroids.
It came after Canadian YouTuber and bodybuilder Greg Doucette spoke about the "Running Man" star on his channel, and raised suspicion that the "Running Man" star had HRT or steroids injected into his body to have that insanely bulky physique.
READ ALSO: 'Running Man' Cast Excessively Teases Ji Seok Jin - And It's Earning Sour Reactions From Viewers
In a now-deleted YouTube video, titled "Kim Jung Kook || Natty or Not," the fitness enthusiast claimed that it was impossible for the Korean celebrity to have that kind of body at 45.
After the duo's online debate Kim Jong Kook released the result of his doping test.
According to an outlet, the test was done by the US-based Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL), noting that the singer-host and actor "received no external steroid injection."
'Single's Inferno' Star Kim Hyun Joong
At the height of the popularity of Netflix's "Single's Inferno" Season 1, participant Kim Hyun Joong drew suspicion that he might have used steroids to achieve his muscular body.
The actor went live on Instagram, where fans asked him a bunch of questions regarding his experience with the reality show as well as his personal life.
One fan asked him if he ever used steroids to gain a bigger physique. He answered that he had never used one and explained that he had been working out for 11 years.
"I used to build bigger [muscles], but I innately have weak kidneys, so I'm just maintaining a slim figure," he explained, as noted by a media outlet.
