BIBI Reveals She Underwent Surgery After Grueling Drama Shoot and Emotional Struggles in Music Industry

BIBI has opened up about the severe toll acting took on her physical health and the emotional weight of navigating the music industry during a candid appearance on MBC’s Radio Star, aired on May 14.

Appearing in the show’s “Chaotic Stage” special alongside singer No Sa-yeon, broadcaster Hyun Young, and YouTuber Charles Enter, BIBI reflected on her most intense acting experience to date — her role in the Disney+ original drama “Gangnam B-Side,” released last June.

“It was the most memorable role I’ve ever taken on,” BIBI said, describing the extreme demands of portraying a nightclub worker. She revealed that she had lost weight down to 51kg—her lowest ever—to fit the role, and endured extreme cold during filming. “There was a scene where I had to run wearing only a light red dress. It was -15°C, and I ran for 12 hours,” she recalled.

The prolonged exposure to the cold led to serious health consequences. “After filming in the freezing cold, I showered with hot water and the blood vessels in my legs expanded drastically,” she shared. “I ended up having surgery to close my veins and vessels. Even now, my legs still hurt when the weather gets warmer.”

Beyond the physical strain, BIBI also spoke about her internal conflict as an artist. “I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. I was too free-spirited to be an idol, but in the music world, people said I wasn’t a ‘real’ musician,” she said, touching on the identity crisis many genre-defying artists face.

The turning point came during the Korean Music Awards, where she received recognition for her work. “Everyone was smiling at me. Beenzino sunbae was smiling at me too, and it made me cry. Since that day, I decided to believe that both sides of me can be loved.”

Debuting in 2019 with the single album “Binu”, BIBI has since captivated audiences with her bold lyrics and unconventional style. Her hit songs include “Cigarette and Condom,” “Kazino,” “The Weekend,” “Bad Sad and Mad,” and “Bam Yang Gang.”