“I’m ready, I’m not scared!” giggles an exuberant Jennie, prior to clambering into a bathtub of ice-cold water for the latest instalment of Vogue‘s Well, Well, Well video series.
In her demonstration of cold plunging, the South Korean star cited the practice as “the number one thing that helped me get through mentally” while working on her forthcoming album. And given Jennie‘s tremendous level of influence, it’s not a wonder that the term “cold plunge” immediately spiked in worldwide Google searches following the episode’s release.
Indeed, K-pop idols yield immense power as tastemakers, with every move from their airport ensembles to their tastes in literature inciting interest. Yet in K-pop, wellness is somewhat shrouded, where otherwise it’s a space that continues to grow globally. Things appear to be changing: on the mental health front, the likes of Eric Nam‘s Mindset app and the then-disruptive openness of BTS‘ lyrics have paved the way for more candid conversations. Meanwhile, physically speaking, it’s long been clear that exercise and health are paramount to thriving amidst an idol’s intensive schedule.
With that in mind, Vogue Singapore dives deeper into the wellness rituals that keep some of our favourite K-pop idols collected and grounded. Read on—you may find some inspiration to incorporate in your own self-care regimen.
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Jennie: Cold plunges
“I started cold plunging a few years back when I started working on my body, after hours of rehearsing for tour,” the Blackpink member explains to Vogue. “It’s usually a form of letting go of my anxiety.”
The benefits of cold plunging extend from body to mind. Reduced inflammation, a boost in mood and improved blood flow are among the positive outcomes that researchers have associated with the practice.
“Pushing myself to do it every day motivated me and made me believe that I’m tougher than I think I am,” Jennie declares. “You’re really doing it for yourself—there’s no one watching you.”
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Mingyu: Mindful art
When considering wellness, art may not be the first past-time that comes to mind. Yet evidence indicates that creative projects can lower our cortisol levels and improve our overall wellbeing.
For Seventeen member Mingyu, it’s the mindful aspect of his artistic hobbies that allow him to feel centred. “I have quite an impatient personality, but drawing makes me calm,” he says in an episode of his Mindset series. “This is because I can’t draw more when I have to wait for the paint to dry. I think I’m able to organise my thoughts and relax a little then. It also makes me focus.”
Drawing is an emotional outlet for the rapper, who has also discussed how photography encourages him to be more mindful and appreciative of his surroundings.
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Jihyo: Pilates princess
Known for her love of exercising, Jihyo’s appearance on I Live Alone saw her visiting a pilates studio as part of her daily routine. “I almost always visit in the morning on my off days,” the Twice member reveals. A knee surgery prompted her to pick up the popular workout back in 2022. “I thought it’s about time I look after my body in a different way, so I started doing pilates.”
She prefers her regimen to be “intense” and notes, “I felt a very dramatic change ever since I started learning [it].”
Pilates is one of the most beloved fitness methods among female idols, counting the likes of Aespa’s Karina, NewJeans’ Danielle and Ive’s Yujin and Wonyoung as fellow fans.
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Jay B: Camping
Fans of the GOT7 leader will know this for a fact: Jay B’s a camping enthusiast. So much so that most of his videos on his Youtube channel are dedicated to calming camping Vlogs, which sees the K-pop idol driving out of the city, building tents, and cooking over a fire. It’s where he goes when he wants to be alone, as shared once on a Twitter Q&A. “It’s healing and it helps you organise your thoughts.”
The singer-songwriter who has opened up about being diagnosed with depression back in 2021, also spoke at length about his love for nature on Eric Nam’s The Daebak show. “When I die I want to be cremated and become the wind.” A self-professed introvert, the star talked about camping even just for a night (due to tight schedules) to fish and read.
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Chaeryeong: Pen to paper
Ahead of their tour in the U.S. earlier this year, girl group Itzy was questioned about how they look after their mental health. It turns out Chaeryeong is an advocate of journalling.
“For me, I write in my diary,” she says. “I write things that I like or very detailed happy memories so I can memorise every little detail for a long time. But there are also things I write when I’m having a hard time, the sad or negative memories, to drop those feelings off from my heart.”
Journalling is a powerful means of reflecting upon and processing emotions. Research has linked the practice to boosted mindfulness, memory and communication skills.
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NingNing: Aromatherapy oil
During a recent interview, Aespa’s youngest member NingNing divulged a trusted way of winding down for blissful sleep.
“I’ll add aromatherapy oil into my humidifier to calm my body and mind as I go to sleep,” she explains.
NingNing appears to be quite the fragrance connoisseur, with fans picking up on a list of specific scents she turns to for mood-lifting—among them, Le Labo’s Neroli 36 and Another 13, and Tom Ford’s White Seude. Where sleep is concerned, environment is of importance—and aromatherapy oils such as lavender and bergamot have been shown to improve sleep quality and reduce stress.
