Rowoon is facing buzz over his surprising weight gain, sparking concern and confusion among fans and netizens. The idol-turned-actor appeared at the Calvin Klein flagship store in Harajuku, Japan on August 29 looking noticeably different from his familiar lean self.
The controversy ignited on the Korean community site Instiz with a post titled “Rowoon, are you sick…?” quickly racking up tens of thousands of views. The netizen who posted the photos wrote:
“Apparently this was yesterday, but he looks swollen like he’s sick.”
Since leaving SF9 in 2023 to focus on acting, Rowoon has been known for his sharp, lean image. The photos showed a heavier side of the star, prompting strong reactions.
“If you didn’t say it was Rowoon, I wouldn’t have known it was him.”
“He himself said it’s just weight gain.”
“Huh, he seriously looks like a different person, like ‘who are you?’ level. Did I forget his old face?”
Some fans defended the change, noting his upcoming military enlistment as a reason:
“He just gained weight, that’s all… Eat lots before the army ㅠㅠ”
“Ah, so he’s enlisting soon. Of course he might let go of the intense self-management. Enjoy good food before you go~”
“He’s probably eating freely since it’s before enlistment. When else can he eat as much as he wants, if not now?”
FNC Entertainment confirmed that the 29-year-old will enlist as an active-duty soldier next month. His initial July enlistment was postponed due to health concerns during his physical exam.
This weight change comes just days after international netizens spotted Rowoon’s tough transformation for the Disney+ drama The Murky Stream, premiering September 26 — his final project before enlistment.
