IU Drank for Real While Filming 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'—And This Symptom Instantly Appeared

Singer-actress IU confessed that she actually drank alcohol while filming a scene for her upcoming Netflix drama ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’.

In a recent video uploaded to Netflix's official YouTube channel, IU revealed that she consumed alcohol while shooting a dinner scene with Park Hae-joon. She explained, "A red tint on my face could look cute with makeup, but I thought it would be more natural if I drank for real."

When Park Hae-joon asked, "Did I drink too?" IU replied, "I don’t think you did, Sir."

🔴 Why Does Your Face Turn Red After Drinking? Is It Safe?

Many people experience facial flushing after drinking alcohol. This isn’t just a minor genetic trait—it’s a physiological response that can have significant health implications. Let's take a closer look at why alcohol flushing occurs and what it means for your health.

🔬 What Is Alcohol Flush Reaction?

Alcohol flush reaction occurs when the body has difficulty breaking down alcohol due to a deficiency in the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2).

When alcohol enters the body, it is first metabolized into acetaldehyde, a highly toxic substance. Normally, the ALDH2 enzyme quickly breaks it down into harmless acetic acid, which is then expelled from the body. However, individuals with low ALDH2 activity experience acetaldehyde buildup, causing blood vessels to expand and leading to facial redness.

This genetic trait is especially common among East Asians.

⚠️ Health Risks of Alcohol Flush Reaction

Many assume that turning red after drinking is harmless, but it may indicate poor alcohol metabolism, which can pose several health risks.

🔹 Increased Blood Pressure: Studies show that individuals with alcohol flush reaction experience a higher spike in blood pressure after drinking, which may increase the long-term risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

🔹 Cancer Risk: Acetaldehyde is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the World Health Organization (WHO). If not properly metabolized, it can raise the risk of esophageal and stomach cancer. Research suggests that individuals with alcohol flush reaction who frequently consume alcohol are 6 to 10 times more likely to develop esophageal cancer.

🔹 Liver Damage: The liver plays a key role in metabolizing alcohol, and excessive acetaldehyde buildup can damage liver cells, leading to fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

🔹 Other Symptoms: Many people with alcohol flush reaction experience headaches, dizziness, severe thirst, and nausea after drinking. These symptoms indicate that the body is struggling to process alcohol efficiently.

💧 How to Minimize the Effects of Alcohol Flush Reaction

For those with alcohol flush reaction, the best option is to limit or avoid alcohol altogether. However, if drinking is unavoidable, here are some tips to minimize its impact:

✅ Drink Slowly & in Small Amounts – This helps the body metabolize alcohol more efficiently.

✅ Stay Hydrated – Drinking plenty of water alongside alcohol helps flush out acetaldehyde.

✅ Eat Before Drinking – Having a meal beforehand slows alcohol absorption.

✅ Consume Vitamin B-Rich Foods – Foods like eggs, nuts, and green vegetables support liver detoxification.

While IU’s choice to drink for realism might have been intentional, for those prone to alcohol flushing, it’s always best to drink with caution!