As obesity levels increase in South Korea, so does South Korea’s market for weight-loss injections. Wegovy, the medication invented by Danish corporate Novo Nordisk, has allegedly surpassed 400,000 prescriptions since its first launch in South Korea in October 2024.
Approved by the U.S. FDA in 2021 and launched in South Korea in October 2024, Wegovy is typically prescribed for adults with obesity or those overweight with related health conditions, such as high blood pressure or type-2 diabetes. While highly effective in aiding weight loss, it also comes with potential side effects, including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and, in some cases, more serious risks like cancer.
Although Novo Nordisk has not disclosed product-level sales in Korea, figures from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), obtained by Representative Kim Sun-min of the minor liberal opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, highlighted the drug’s swift uptake. Monthly prescriptions jumped from about 11,000 at launch to nearly 89,000 in May before slightly dipping in June. For 2025 so far, the monthly average has already exceeded 57,000.
“Using drugs like Wegovy feels like an unethical way to lose weight,” Winston Chen (12), student with weight loss experience, said. “People, especially teenagers like us who are still growing, should focus on healthier habits instead; like eating healthier and finding fun activities that can help us stay fit.”
Health experts have also raised concerns about the drug’s popularity among celebrities.
In Korea, several stars have already been witnessed with this medical drug. Shindong of Super Junior admitted on a variety show that he had tried Wegovy in combination with dieting, though he confessed the results were limited and caused a yo-yo effect when he stopped. Pungja, a YouTuber and TV personality, revealed she had lost 14 kilograms after trying both Saxenda and Wegovy, sparking debate about the growing influence of these medications outside of medical necessity.
“When I scroll through social media these days, it is very easy to see many ads about Wegovy,” Philip Bliss (12), avid social media user, said. They make the ads very eye-catching with celebrities talking about their experience. This is concerning because this could lead teenagers to follow this method.”
