K-Pop stars reveal their own mental illness problems

Earlier this year, the Korea Foundation announced that there were nearly 90 million fans of Hallyu (Korean Wave) in the world. Although K-pop is only a subset of what the term Hallyu encompasses, for many fans of the genre, this discovery is probably not a surprise. I mean, just look at these K-pop stats! YouTube views, music sales and the number of subscribers are not the only things that matter when it comes to K-pop.

One aspect of the K-pop scene that is not always taken into account is how K-pop stars manage their mental health. In fact, it is taboo to talk about mental health in general in Korea. However, it is important that we talk about it, especially with regard to the K-pop artists, because psychology experts have noted that the engagement of celebrities in artistic activities and the excessive time that it takes. they passed under the scrutiny of the public made them particularly susceptible. to depression.

In 2017, SHINee's Jonghyun suicide again highlighted mental illness in the K-pop industry, highlighting the many sources of pressure that celebrities routinely face. When we consider these factors – success or not, competition, public criticism, etc. – It becomes obvious that being a K-pop celebrity does not only consist of receiving the love of fans and performing on lavish scenes. Jonghyun said in an interview that it was difficult for him to talk about his feelings, for fear of being unfairly judged by the public and that he thought there was really no one who wanted to know the real him. He's probably not the only one to feel that way either, because other celebrities face the same challenges as him.

Even though they are at increased risk for mental illness, K-pop artists often have relatively limited options for properly managing their mental health because of their high profile and social stigma. Nevertheless, some K-pop celebrities have been very open about the topic of mental health, with an ever increasing number of stars beginning to reveal their own issues of depression, anxiety and others. mental health disorders. Epik High's Tablo (jump to 3:21 in the video above) and Suga from BTS are particularly well-known to K-pop fans for defending mental health awareness and frankly discussing personal mental health issues at home. over the years. The work of Epik High has often talked about mental health issues, including their latest album "Sleepless In __________." In an interview with Yonhap News, published later in English by J-14, Suga went on to say: "Anxiety and loneliness seems to be with me for life. I give a lot of meaning to the way of working, but it seems to me that I have to work on it all my life. T-ara's Jiyeon and longtime soloist Younha are just two other celebrities who have opened up on their personal struggles with mental health in recent years too.

Unfortunately, Korean celebrities have also shown their own biases about mental illness. Last year, rapper San E criticized Womad and Megalia, online feminist communities known for their radical views and hatred of men, while performing on stage, declaring them not as feminists but as "mental illness" (jump to 1:40 in the video below). . Ironically, the previous year, San E had published a song and a music video on the stigma of mental health, particularly with regard to counseling and the use of drugs to treat psychological problems. Although he has tried to change the perception of mental health by people and help them understand its meaning through his art, the use of mental illness as part of a derisive attack against those who criticized him is, to say the least, admirable.

Celebrities are not the only ones who have a hard time talking about mental health, however, stigma against mental illness is an ubiquitous part of Korean society, making it difficult for many people, famous and freely of what it means to suffer. a mental illness. For many Koreans, mental health problems, as well as seeking professional help, are indicative of a weakness, can become a permanent stain on work and personal history and are ultimately not well understood. There are signs that Korean society is trying to overcome its barriers to mental health treatment, including the creation of the National Center for Mental Health in 2016.

That said, although times are changing, Korea has consistently had the highest suicide rate among OECD countries in two decades, with an average of 40 people committing suicide each day. In 2015, the National Health Insurance Service found that about 5 million Korean adults suffer from depression or are at high risk of depression. Yet only 22.2% of people diagnosed with a mental illness actually applied for treatment. In addition, a recent government study found that the vast majority of suicide victims had sought treatment not for mental health problems, but for physical symptoms such as fatigue, lack of concentration, abdominal pain, and headaches. The suicide rate in Korea has been steadily decreasing since 2010, but it remains a major problem in Korea.

Although we may never know most, if any, of our most popular K-pop stars on a personal level, it is essential to keep in mind that they are all still human . Under carefully designed characters are real people with their own dreams, desires and problems. Like everyone else, celebrities can feel isolated and hopeless. They can be hurt and feel defeated. They can even make mistakes. And yet, the public generally expects K-pop stars to always put on their best, usually smiling faces.

When stars are emotionally challenged, the public and their loved ones are often unaware of their difficulties. In an interview with the BBC (see above), Park Kyung, from Block B, explained that "celebrities have trouble managing their emotions …. They do not have many opportunities to express what they really feel because their work requires them to hide their emotions. In addition to having limited access to treatment, celebrities are regularly left alone to carry their burden.

The head of a K-pop artist said that despite all their efforts to protect artists from stress and potentially more serious mental health issues, it was simply not possible to protect them completely. For example, many artists have admitted to regularly reading online comments about themselves, although it is hard to imagine that they could possibly have the time to do so in addition to their busy schedules. Although many of these comments can be positive and filled with love, the BTS RM has already stated how negative comments can be damaging: "I was thinking before about a malicious comment written by a user in five seconds, with a fleeting thought: "I do not like this guy" for five hours and five days. "

Removing Korea's stigma from open discussion and the appropriate treatment of mental illness is not an easy task, and it is probably only part of the fight against the mental health of K-pop celebrities. After all, the K-pop industry itself is a breeding ground for many of the challenges artists face, creating an extremely competitive and under pressure environment even before budding celebrities get the chance to make their debut. Acclaim our favorite K-pop stars when they win a prize or cross another milestone, that's fine, but it's equally important to show artists that their burdens should not be their only burden and that we accept them for who they are are like human beings.

Are there artists who helped you through your own struggles? Do not hesitate to share below. I would like to hear your stories. Please leave self-care tips that you could have in the comments too!

If you have suicidal thoughts or if you know someone you are interested in, you can get immediate help by consulting global resources such as iasp.info or by calling 1-800-273-8255 in the United States . In Korea, you can join LifeLine Korea at 1588-9191.

Seheee is a software engineer by day and a keen enthusiast of K-pop concerts at night. You can find her on Twitter @_seheee.

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