Celebrities Battling Mental Health Issues: A Growing Concern in the K-pop Industry
Panic, depression, and anxiety. The various diseases plaguing the entertainment industry are far from temporary ailments - the depth of the wounds and the lingering effects are not to be taken lightly.
On April 23, actor Kim Gun-woo opened up about his struggle with panic disorder in a preview of SBS's "My Little Old Boy (My Ugly Duckling)." He said, "It was my first time experiencing panic disorder, and it was really hard for a while. I even thought about quitting acting at that time." The confession from the actor, who has recently gained fame through Netflix's "The Glory," evokes sympathy.
Many stars have confessed to struggling with or recovering from panic disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, and psychological disorders. Girls' Generation's Taeyeon revealed in 2019 through her social media that she had been diagnosed with depression. She said, "I'm suffering from depression. I'm diligently undergoing medication and trying to get better," and added, "I hope people don't view bipolar or depression negatively. We are all sick patients."
Depression, which Taeyeon confessed to, is a disease that causes changes in emotions, thoughts, physical conditions, and behavior. Known as the 'common cold of the mind,' it is a serious illness that should not be taken lightly. It cannot be cured by willpower alone; proper treatment must be sought through professional diagnosis.
Singer HyunA confessed her health condition on a TV show. In 2020, she appeared on MBC's 'Radio Star' and said, "I've been taking panic disorder medication for over five years. I think I've been sick for almost 10 years." She explained her difficult situation, "I have hyperventilation, panic disorder, depression, and vasovagal syncope. I was so heartbroken when I had to cancel my schedules and go home."
Panic disorder is also a condition that requires diagnosis and treatment through medical institutions. The main symptoms are extreme fear and a desperate feeling of impending death. Patients often don't know the cause of their fear, become confused, and have difficulty concentrating, leading to challenges in their daily lives.
There are stars whose unstable mental states have caused public concern. Singer Kang Daniel shared his hardships in his fan café in 2019. He said, "It's hard when my emotions become a laughing stock, when my fans I care about are mocked, and when my family gets cursed at instead of me." He added, "I really can't stand it anymore. I wish someone would save me."
Following fans' concerns, his agency Connect Entertainment revealed that Kang Daniel was diagnosed with depression and panic disorder. They decided to cancel his schedules and focus on his health recovery.
The vicious cycle between celebrities and various mental health disorders is difficult to break. Often, they suffer in silence, which can worsen their condition or cause disruptions in their daily lives. When news of celebrities making extreme choices emerges, it's a painful reminder that these issues should not be dismissed as mere personal struggles.
Copyright © 2023 Kpop Reporter. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
