Singer Ailee opened up about the burden she felt from the public's constant evaluation of her appearance.

On the September 17 broadcast of Channel A's variety program 'Oh Eun Young's Golden Counseling Center', Ailee made an appearance as a guest. Here, she confessed that she experienced stage fright before her performances, and felt constant pressure from the public. She told Dr. Oh Eun Young, "There were so many things in which I didn't know what standard I had to meet. Especially with things like my weight. When I gained weight because [netizens] had told me I was too skinny, they would then say that I gained weight. I maintained the same weight for around 3-4 years now, but if I look even a little puffy, they would say I gained weight. If [my face] looks a bit sharp, they would say I succeeded in losing weight."

Ailee added, "I became too concerned about things I usually didn't care about. I began to be concerned with many things and think 'is this embarrassing? Is that something to be ashamed of?' That's why I lost weight. In one month, I lost 10~11kg. At that time, I ate 100 grams of protein, two cups of vegetables, and a single fruit piece for one meal. Like that, I ate two meals in one day. That added up to 500 calories per day." Ailee then explained that she had gone on the drastic diet during the days when she had the busiest schedule. She would also exercise on top of completing her full schedule. She said, "I had too little strength to sing. Because I was so weak, I developed vocal cord nodules."

Dr. Oh Eun-young looked serious while listening to Ailee. Dr. Oh Eun-young then responded, "Do you know how much the minimum calories consumption is for survival? It is 1,600 to 1,700 calories for men and 1,200 calories for women. It takes that much to lie still, blink, breathe, and for your heart to stay beating. If you don't eat even that much, you are using up the existing energy of your body just to stay alive. Then, that becomes a health problem."