Actor Kim Min-ha reveals walking routine behind 17-kg weight loss

Actor Kim Min-ha, who lost 17 kilograms for a role, has opened up about the workout routine behind the transformation.

On Thursday, Kim appeared on the YouTube channel "PDC by PDC" and discussed the diet experience and daily exercise habits.

In the video, Kim gave an update on current projects. "These days I'm filming a movie called 'Let's Shake Our Sun,'" Kim said. "It's a really beautiful story — about two terminally ill people who meet and fall in love. It's almost entirely a love story." Kim added that the co-star is actor Lee Do-hyun. "He's the same age as me — a friend born the same year. It's the first time my co-star has been the same age, so it's a lot of fun."

Asked whether the role prompted the physical transformation, Kim said it was a major turning point. "The character has heart failure, and when I looked into it, people with that condition manage their health incredibly strictly. There are a lot of things they can't eat, and they have to maintain a certain weight consistently — so I tried losing weight."

Kim also shared a daily routine that begins at 5 a.m. "When I wake up in the morning I meditate. These days I often can't because of filming, but I'll meditate in the car, read the newspaper, go work out and then clean — no exceptions. Cleaning is one of my joys," Kim said. "I also like reading scripts and watching films in the morning. I try to get up around 5, or 6 at the latest. The mornings are incredibly busy."

Kim said the day winds down early as well. "I go to bed around 10 p.m. Everyone asks why. Once you get into a routine of sleeping early and waking early, you just can't stay out long — you get so sleepy. Even if I'm out late and get home around midnight, my eyes still open early."

Arriving at Banpo Han River Park during the conversation, Kim reflected on the walking habit behind the weight loss. "I used to walk from Cheongdam to Banpo. That was right in the middle of the diet. I just exercised by walking back then — these days I run 5 kilometers at the gym."