Not Quite a Vegan: Jeon Hyo Sung’s ‘Flexitarian’ Confession Sparks Controversy

Jeon Hyo-sung’s remark on a flexitarian
“If you just keep to yourself and be quiet, no one will…”

Singer and actress Jeon Hyo-sung, a former girl group Secret member, revealed that she is not a vegetarian.

On the 30th, Jeon Hyo-sung posted a lengthy article on her Instagram.

On that day, Jeon Hyo-sung stated, “I am not a vegetarian (a strict vegan), but a flexitarian (an imperfect vegan, aspiring vegan).” She said, “I share a part of my daily life with the hope that people will know that it’s okay to have these choices that are not perfect, but I also have no intention of forcing my thoughts on anyone.”

She continued, “Thank you for looking at it positively and showing great interest. However, I am lacking too many areas to be mistaken for a vegetarian or a perfect vegan.”

She added, “I hope there won’t be any misunderstandings by only watching a part of my videos or captures.”
Previously, ‘flexitarian’ was a combination of ‘flexible’ and ‘vegetarian,’ meaning a vegetarian who eats meat.

Flexitarians practice ‘intermittent vegetarianism’ and ‘flexible vegetarianism,’ using a vegetarian diet for one meal a day or 2-3 days a week. They usually do not eat meat, but they have the flexibility to eat meat in unavoidable situations.

However, netizens who heard Jeon Hyo-sung’s statement commented, “She seems unique. She’s just someone who eats both meat and vegetables. She loves labeling things,” “What? Isn’t she just saying she eats everything?” “She keeps making strange terms,” “Do vegetarians create such terms? It’s just typical omnivorous eating,” “Isn’t it just eating everything? What’s the difference?” “Is this a superiority complex?” “Why do you have to declare it and make a big deal? If you do it quietly to yourself, no one will say anything,” and so on.

Meanwhile, on the 26th, Jeon Hyo-sung revealed herself eating at a vegan restaurant through her own YouTube channel.

At that time, Jeon Hyo-sung said, “In 2020, it rained for more than a month. I had never experienced such a thing before. I was doing radio at the time and commuted alone, so I realized the seriousness of the weather. (Before that), I had been thinking, ‘I should do something…’ I’ve reduced meat consumption, and I always carry a tumbler and switched to using natural sponges. I’m doing what I can,” revealing why she became interested in the environment.

She also said, “In 2020, I bought a vegan recipe book. I heard raising cows causes the most environmental pollution, so I thought, ‘Even if I don’t know anything else, I should reduce cows.’ At first, it was challenging,” she said. “(But later on), I found out it was because of the taste of the seasoning.”

By. Kang Min sun, mingtung@wikitree.co.kr