SEOUL – While constant hair dyeing and styling have left countless K-pop stars struggling with thinning locks, BIGBANG leader Kwon Ji-yong, better known as G-Dragon, has maintained a famously full head of hair. His secret? A humble, homemade cup of black bean tea consumed every morning.
The 36-year-old fashion and music icon recently disclosed his daily ritual during an appearance on the YouTube talk show Dex and Sana’s Fridge Interview. When host Dex joked that G-Dragon’s enviable hair volume must be the result of some extraordinary regimen, the singer casually replied that he “doesn’t drink much water in the morning” but instead makes a habit of starting the day with a cup of roasted black bean tea. He compared its flavour to that of barley tea—mild, nutty, and surprisingly satisfying.
The Science Behind the Sipping
Black beans have long been celebrated in traditional East Asian medicine, and modern nutrition science supports their benefits. According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, a foundational text in Chinese herbalism, regular consumption of black beans can ward off numerous ailments. For hair health, the legume’s high concentration of protein, iron, and zinc directly supports follicle function and hair shaft strength. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners also attribute its ability to nourish kidney energy, which is believed to govern hair vitality.
But the benefits extend well beyond your scalp.
Four Key Benefits of Black Bean Tea
- Hair Nourishment: Rich in B vitamins, iron, and zinc, black beans provide the building blocks for keratin production, helping prevent breakage and thinning.
- Anti-Aging Properties: Black beans are packed with anthocyanins—the same antioxidant pigments found in blueberries—and vitamin E, both of which combat oxidative stress and slow cellular aging.
- Anti-Inflammatory and De-Puffing: High potassium content helps flush excess sodium from the body, reducing water retention and bloating. The effect is so pronounced that one weight-loss book documented a case of a person losing 7 kilograms in a month following a black-bean-heavy diet.
- Anemia Prevention: A good source of folate and iron, black bean tea supports red blood cell production, helping to combat fatigue and dizziness.
How to Make G-Dragon’s Go-To Brew
The recipe is strikingly simple. Fans looking to replicate the star’s routine need only two ingredients: raw black beans and water.
Step 1: Rinse one cup of dried black beans thoroughly and drain.
Step 2: Place the beans in a dry skillet or pan over medium heat. Roast them for about 8–10 minutes, stirring constantly, until they become fragrant and the skins begin to crack. Be careful not to burn them—the aroma should be toasty, not acrid.
Step 3: Transfer the roasted beans to a jar or pot and pour in 4 to 5 cups of boiling water. Steep for 10–15 minutes, then strain. The tea can be stored in the refrigerator and consumed cold or re-heated.
G-Dragon has noted that the tea pairs well with a morning routine, offering a hydrating alternative to plain water while delivering a subtle energy lift.
Eggs: Another Celebrity-Endorsed Hair Health Hack
Beyond tea, the conversation around diet and hair density has also turned to eggs. Taiwanese television host Lan Xinmei, star of the show Women Like Me, famously reversed her thinning hairline by eating eight boiled eggs daily. After a medical check-up revealed severe protein deficiency, she adopted the regimen and soon noticed not only improved blood-work numbers but also a regrowth of eyebrows, sideburns, and scalp hair.
Functional medicine physician Dr. Ou Hanwen of Taiwan explained the mechanism: hair is composed primarily of keratin, a protein whose synthesis relies on adequate stores of albumin in the blood. When the body detects low protein levels, it prioritises vital organs over non-essential tissues like hair. Eggs provide a complete amino acid profile, plus biotin (vitamin B7) and key minerals for follicle health.
While eight eggs a day is an extreme measure, experts agree that adequate protein intake—from whole eggs, legumes, or lean meats—is non-negotiable for anyone concerned about hair loss.
A Broader Lesson in Internal Care
G-Dragon’s tea habit and the egg trend both underscore a growing shift in how celebrities approach beauty: from topical treatments to nutrition-first strategies. For Hong Kong readers facing the city’s high-stress lifestyle and humidity-induced scalp issues, adopting a simple morning tea could be a low-cost, high-impact first step.
Whether you choose roasted black bean tea or a protein-packed breakfast, the message is clear—what you put inside your body shows on the outside. And sometimes, the most viral beauty secret isn’t a luxury serum, but a humble pantry staple.