Doctor who divorced K-pop star reveals she took part in obesity drug trial

Heo Yang-im, a family medicine specialist and former wife of Sechskies member Ko Ji-yong, has revealed that she participated in a clinical trial for the obesity drug Epeglenatide, known as "Epe."

Heo said Friday through her personal social media account that she had taken part in the Epeglenatide clinical trial during her time as a professor at Bundang CHA Medical Center. "Based on clinical research results showing meaningful weight loss effects and metabolic health benefits, the product has finally launched," she said.

Epe is a GLP-1-class obesity drug developed by Hanmi Pharm, set to go on sale later this month. Attention is focused on whether it can successfully carve out a place in the domestic and international obesity treatment market, currently dominated by Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Heo said the perspective on obesity treatment should expand beyond weight loss itself to encompass overall health. "Obesity treatment is no longer just about how much weight you lose — what matters more now is how healthily you lose it," she said. She added that it was especially meaningful to see a drug she had studied at the trial stage become a real treatment option for patients.

Her remarks drew attention in part because they came from a medical professional directly involved in the drug development process. However, her disclosure of that participation does not constitute a personal endorsement of the drug's efficacy or safety.

Heo and Ko married in 2013 and had a son, Seungjae, the following year, before recently disclosing that they divorced two years ago. The two are currently in a legal dispute over child support and visitation rights.