Korea’s “Muscle Barbie” Could Out-Bench Ken — And Look Gorgeous While Doing It
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In 2016, bodybuilder Jhi Yeon Woo stunned netizens with her impressively muscular physique and the empowering story of how she transformed her life when she appeared on the popular variety program Star King.
Her gorgeous visuals and toned physique led her to earn the nickname “Muscle Barbie.”
Jhi Yeon Woo | @yeonwoojhi/Instagram Growing up, Jhi Yeon Woo described herself as “shy” and “frail,” her lack of self-confidence and struggles with depression led her to experience social anxiety.
To cope with her anxiety and improve her well-being, she began to take an interest in working out in her teens, taking the then-hobby more seriously when she entered her 20s.
Jhi Yeon Woo’s photo from before her bodybuilding career is on the bottom right. | SBS Gaining more confidence, she entered her first bodybuilding competition at 26 years old and placed first in the 2010 Korean National Bodybuilding Competition.
Jhi Yeon Woo’s success earned the attention of the legendary International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness (IFBB) professional bodybuilder Chris “The Real Deal” Cormier, who began working with Jhi Yeon Woo.
In 2011, she competed in the NPC Excalibur Bodybuilding Championships and placed second, despite her nerves due to being the “smallest” person at the competition.
Just two years later, Jhi Yeon Woo competed at the Arnold Classic Europe Amateur, where she won and was able to receive her IFBB Pro card.
This milestone made her the first Korean in history to earn the distinction of an IFBB Pro card, cementing her status as a professional bodybuilding legend.
| @yeonwoojhi/Instagram Through her hard work and dedication, she transformed her hobby into her profession, although it wasn’t always easy to identify as a professional bodybuilder.
Jhi Yeon Woo admitted that her loved ones worried about her lifestyle.
Twelve years ago, it was hard to say bodybuilding is a proper job. Being a professional athlete, especially living as a female bodybuilder, was a reckless challenge and there was so much anxiety from my friends and family.
— Jhi Yeon Woo
| @yeonwoojhi/Instagram The challenges didn’t deter her, and she broke boundaries in her inspiring career. Her last competition was in New York in 2017, in which she placed fifth.
Now, she helps others achieve their goals through personal training and chronicles her clients’ progress on her personal training Instagram account.
Jhi Yeon Woo is an inspiration to many with her courage to chase her dreams and her strength to continuously prioritize her health and wellness while encouraging others to do the same.
She has proven she deserves the title of Korea’s “Muscle Barbie!”
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