Chapter 54
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: The Actress's Diet Consultation
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While chatting, Park Seseon observed the reactions of everyone in the consultation room.
Her cousin Park Seonyun held her hand sympathetically, as if saying she'd been through a lot, while Clinic Director Chu Miyoung, standing in the corner, stared at her face with wide eyes, unblinking.
'Does she really not recognize me?'
But Director Han Yeowon's gaze didn't waver in the slightest.
Even if she wasn't making a fuss, most people would at least pretend not to know out of curiosity, but Han Yeowon simply listened calmly, nodding along.
"That's a great decision. An environment where you can focus on dieting is incredibly rare."
"Hee-hee, right? It's all thanks to my family's consideration."
At any rate, Park Seseon was an actress. There was no way she'd let on that she found the director intriguing.
She had asked to keep her visit a secret, but who knew when word might leak out, so she responded with her usual elegant smile.
"Since you've made such a big commitment to come here, let's work hard at it. Let's start with your InBody results."
The director gave a quick briefing on the printed InBody sheet.
Height 161 cm, current weight 64 kg.
Muscle mass was on the lower end of normal, while BMI, body fat percentage, and abdominal fat percentage all far exceeded caution levels, indicating overweight or obesity.
She'd measured it several times at the gym already, but the word "obesity" still didn't sit right with her.
"I used to hover between 47 and 48 kg. Then right before giving birth in my last month of pregnancy, I went over 70 kg. They said I'd drop 15 kg just from delivery, so I was hopeful, but only 10 kg came off. And then while taking care of the baby, I kept snacking, so I gained even more and ended up like this."
Park Seseon sighed. It was hard to believe she was agonizing over her weight.
"When you give birth, the fetus, placenta, and amniotic fluid all come out, and you lose a lot of blood too. This much is natural, but depending on how you manage it afterward, the extra fat tissue might not go away."
"Ahh..."
"You said you can focus on dieting for about three or four months, right? Do you have a rough target weight in mind?"
"Sigh... I'm a middle-aged actress in my forties now, so I don't need to be as skinny as before. Still, I'd like to get down to 54 or 55."
She had to get back to normal weight at least. People would gossip about her gaining weight after having a kid no matter what, but she couldn't forgive herself for showing this body.
"Nine kilos... It's tough, but achievable. I usually aim for 5% the first month, 7% the second, and 10% the third. With your strong will, if we push a little extra each month, it should work. That way, we can build good eating habits without harming your health."
Hearing this actually put her at ease.
She was scared of extreme fasting diets that promised sure results but wrecked health or caused yo-yo effects, and overly slow plans made the whole effort pointless.
"Got it. I'll do my best to adjust my habits, as long as my appetite decreases a bit."
Park Seseon nodded, but the director waved her hand, saying that wasn't the way.
"It's not about forcing effort; it has to become natural. You need to maintain it after the intensive period too."
"Right... you're correct."
It was her biggest inner worry.
Even if she lost the weight with firm resolve this time, could she keep it off? Had her body turned into one that gained weight easily after childbirth?
"Do you think your appetite now is beyond normal levels? Not compared to your old low-appetite self, but to other people."
"I think so. Even a little stress makes me crave food nonstop. Especially certain things, like ramen or jjajangmyeon."
At that, the director raised her eyebrows.
"What about bread, cake, or juice?"
"Exactly. When I feel the slightest bit stuffy, I think about those, and if I don't eat them, I feel like I'll go crazy."
"...You're on the road to carb addiction. You did the right thing coming here for treatment."
"Carb addiction?"
Park Seseon tilted her head.
She knew rice, bread, and noodles were carbs, but she'd never heard of being addicted to them.
"Overeating simple carbs like sugar and flour boosts dopamine, making you feel good temporarily. But repeat it, and your brain's reward system breaks down—you even get depressed without them."
The director continued explaining.
Carbs convert to glucose for energy, but if blood sugar spikes too high, insulin releases. This turns glucose into glycogen or fatty acids, preventing serious diseases from high blood sugar but storing fat and causing weight gain.
"...I kept eating what I craved during pregnancy and got addicted. I wasn't cautious enough because I never gained weight before."
Now it made sense. Her constitution hadn't changed from childbirth alone; she'd overexposed herself to simple carbs she rarely ate before.
"Don't worry. Meds will help curb the excessive appetite, and with proper eating, your brain's reward system will normalize—no more intense noodle or sweet cravings."
Park Seseon fully relaxed.
She liked the term "abnormal appetite." It felt like validation that it wasn't her weak will failing.
"I'll trust and follow you. Proper eating means cutting carbs completely, right?"
"You can't—and shouldn't—cut carbs entirely. Just minimize simple ones like flour, sweets, and white rice. Opt for mixed grains with barley or brown rice instead."
"Seonyun, tell the housekeeper that."
"Okay."
Park Seonyun nodded while typing it into her phone.
"Focus on Korean food, but watch salty broths since bloating persists. Veggies and meat in moderation... Do you have someone helping plan meals?"
"We have a housekeeper, but not for diets..."
"Oh, sis. Grandma's on a diabetic diet, so there's a nutritionist. I'll ask her."
She glanced at the director for approval, who nodded readily.
"Then meals are covered. Finally, the most important: eating times. Remember the insulin talk?"
"Yes."
"Fixed meal times mean blood sugar rises only then for glucose processing, then drops naturally during rest, boosting metabolism and calorie burn."
The director drew a wavy line with her hand.
"But if you eat anytime? Your body stays ready to lower blood sugar constantly."
She raised her hand high and slashed horizontally.
It clicked perfectly. That's how her habits had piled on the weight all this time.
"I'll manage times, types, and portions perfectly."
The director smiled and nodded.
"Do that, and you'll hit your goal. I'll help you all the way."
Simple words, yet they rang like a promise—or prophecy.
Explanations followed on herbal principles, ingredients, and side effects, but she had zero doubt it'd work if she followed instructions.
"Any other questions?"
"Ah, yes. Thank you for explaining so well. Do we pay for meds monthly? And can I come for consultations more often? I'll pay extra, of course."
It was a question born from wanting support when resolve weakened, and the director nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course. If time and prep costs work, weekly batches are better. Key is dosing for max loss without side effects."
"Then that's the plan. Looking forward to it."
Park Seseon bowed politely and left the room.
Even with her cousin's strong recommendation, she'd doubted coming all the way to Busan—but now she got why.
"Thanks, Seonyun. You hooked me up with a great doctor."
"Right? Hope it goes well."
Park Seonyun beamed like she'd been praised herself.
"Thanks for coming along too. Head back to the office—you're busy."
"Yeah. From now on..."
"I can come alone, don't worry. The driver's here."
"...I'll come with you whenever I can."
Hm? That wasn't necessary.
Park Seseon wasn't a child or critically ill—just dieting. Why need a guardian?
They'd been close since childhood, closer than typical cousins, but even siblings don't tag along daily to clinics.
Her thoughts easily led to: this wasn't just for her.
"You... don't have a crush on Director Han, do you?"
Park Seonyun jumped at the question.
"Was it obvious?"
"If you do, don't trail after your sis—go bold like a brother-in-law..."
"No! Not romantic interest at all!"
"Then what? Scouting her?"
"..."
Park Seonyun's eyes darted side to side. What was this kid thinking?
"Why would a private practitioner ditch her clinic for your company? Can you match her salary?"
"...She seemed too young—I thought she was employed at first. Just a passing thought."
Park Seseon rested her chin on her brother's shoulder.
"Whatever, handle it yourself. I've got workouts to do."
Company business was none of her concern. Actress Park Seseon had her own priorities. With a great helper introduced, she needed to hit goals before filming.
She left her brother staring blankly at the business card and got in the car first.
Park Seseon really came every week. She'd expected excuses about being busy, but she faithfully reported her weekly meals, workouts, and weight changes.
"My appetite's definitely down! I eat what's served and don't feel hungry. When I crave snacks, I walk the garden instead."
"You're doing great. Portions reduced too?"
"Yes. Half a bowl of rice, unlimited veggie sides. I asked for low salt, of course."
"No side effects?"
"First day a bit heart-pounding, but fine now."
"Good, it suits you."
At first, it was strictly doctor-patient talk.
"Wow, already down 3 kg!"
"First two weeks drop fastest. Don't rush if it plateaus."
"Hubby's visiting this weekend—omakase once okay?"
"..."
"Wah, just a little..."
As they grew closer, she whined like a friend.
"Director! Gift!"
"What's this? Department store cookies?"
"Got them, but I can't eat them."
...Brand new too?
Does her family love gifting?
Half chit-chat, half consult, the weight melted steadily.
Month one: -4.2 kg. Solid progress.
"Think I'm a bit constipated."
"How long?"
"Two days?"
"I'll give constipation meds."
"Can't you do acupuncture? Seonyun raved about it."
"Sure."
As a celebrity, she knew how to charm effortlessly.
And for some reason, she loved that I truly didn't know her, opening up fully.
I grew close to Park Seseon too, chatting freely.
"I've got a question."
"Whoa, first question from you to me! What?"
So I asked what had bugged me.
"Does your cousin have... special tastes? She loves needles—no pain, yet keeps coming."
"Huh?"
Park Seseon blinked, confused.
And at my follow-up.
"Oh? Oh. Ahahahahaha!"
She burst into laughter.