Two Milk Teas a Day: Hong Soo-ah Warns of Weight Gain Risks Hidden in Sweet Beverages

Actor Hong Soo-ah recently shared a candid update regarding her everyday beverage choices. Posting photos on social media, Hong added the caption, “Two milk teas a day — watch out for weight gain,” explaining, “I can’t drink coffee.” The images show Hong carrying a cup of milk tea with her on the go. Fans expressed amazement at her ability to maintain a slim physique despite consuming the sweet drink, leaving comments like, “Why am I the one gaining weight when you’re drinking the milk tea?” and “This photo is so beautiful it looks like an AI composite.”

Since debuting in 2003 as a fashion magazine model, Hong has built an active career across multiple fields while traveling between South Korea and China. In 2024, she also made headlines by winning the doubles title at a national women’s tennis tournament, achieving the feat just three years after picking up the sport.

The beverage Hong enjoys is typically prepared by blending black tea with milk, which mellows the tea's natural astringency to create a rich, smooth flavor. Depending on personal preference, sweeteners like sugar or honey, as well as tapioca pearls, are frequently added. The core ingredient, black tea, provides notable health benefits, particularly in managing systemic inflammation and supporting cardiovascular wellness. It contains high levels of polyphenols, which act as potent antioxidants. Among these, compounds called theaflavins help relax blood vessels and lower oxidative stress. Additionally, the fermentation process of black tea generates thearubigins—red pigments with robust antioxidant properties that work alongside theaflavins to protect the vascular system and soothe chronic inflammation.

Balancing the Benefits Against Sugar and Caffeine Risks

However, consumers can rarely reap the pure health benefits of black tea from commercially prepared milk tea, which is usually packed with added sugars to enhance flavor. Excess sugar is readily stored as fat, increasing the risk of obesity. Controlling sugar intake is particularly critical during adolescence, a period when weight gain can expand both the size and overall number of fat cells, laying the groundwork for adult obesity. Excessive consumption also brings caffeine-related side effects. Black tea contains roughly 50 mg of caffeine per 240 mL. While caffeine can temporarily boost alertness and concentration, it can also trigger a rapid heart rate or heartburn.

For individuals trying to stay in shape, opting for unsweetened variations or brewing milk tea at home using high-quality black tea leaves and milk is highly recommended. Utilizing alternative sweeteners like allulose allows enthusiasts to enjoy the flavor profile without dieting concerns.

Meanwhile, tennis—the sport Hong consistently plays to stay fit—serves as an excellent tool for weight management. Moving briskly across the court effectively burns body fat, while the game’s foundational mechanics, such as lifting the racket over the shoulder, build full-body strength across the back, core, and thighs. This increase in muscle mass ultimately raises the basal metabolic rate, making it much easier to maintain a lean physique over time.