Several Korean stars have opened up about their struggles with panic disorder, revealing how family support helped them get through some of the darkest times in their lives.
Gain and Luna reveal the pain behind their breaks
Brown Eyed Girls’ Gain recently shared an update via her personal account, raising expectations for a possible return to activities. Gain had been away from the spotlight for a long time after being summarily indicted in 2021 on charges of propofol use and being fined KRW 1 million. He personally apologized at the time, admitting his actions were socially inappropriate.
Last year, Gain appeared on her close celebrity friend Im Seulong’s channel and spoke honestly about her long hiatus. He confessed to spending most of his time at home while dealing with depression, insomnia and panic disorder.
During that time, the person who helped bring Gain back to the world was his mother. Gain said she was able to resist because she helped in the shop run by her mother. “I was able to hang on because I helped in my mother’s shop. I’m grateful that she helped me get through that time.” Her confession attracted attention as fans saw a more vulnerable side of the singer, who is now slowly reconnecting with the public.
f(x)’s Luna also revealed her experience with panic disorder. On May 24, Luna appeared on MBC “Please take care of my mom” and talked about the emotional pain he felt while continuing his idol activities in his early twenties. He said that at first he didn’t even know if what he was experiencing was depression or panic disorder.
However, as time passed, the symptoms became more and more severe. “At first I didn’t know if it was depression or panic disorder, but over time it got worse.” Luna also revealed how bad the pain was at its worst. “When the symptoms were severe, it felt like someone was stabbing my legs with a knife.”
His mother became the person who stayed by his side when he was most distressed. Luna had tried not to show how much she was in pain, but her mother had stayed with her until the end. Looking back, Luna burst into tears when she realized how painful the experience must have been for her parents too. “I was going through such a hard time then, but now that time has passed, I think I understand how much pain my parents must have felt too.”
Jeongyeon’s sister helped her get through a difficult time
TWICE’s Jeongyeon also received strong support from her family as she battled panic disorder and anxiety disorder. This time, the person standing next to her was her older sister, actress Gong Seung Yeon.
On May 13, Gong Seung Yeon appeared on tvN “Your Block Quiz”, where he talked about his deep affection for Jeongyeon. During the show, she received a surprise video letter from her younger sister. In the video, Jeongyeon expressed her gratitude and revealed how much Gong Seung Yeon had helped her during a difficult time. “When I was going through a hard time, my sister hugged me and took me to the hospital.”
Jeongyeon had already faced major physical and emotional challenges after undergoing treatment for a disc problem in her neck in 2020. Due to the side effects of steroids, she was diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, which caused sudden physical changes, including weight gain. At the same time, she also suffered from panic and anxiety disorders, which led her to temporarily suspend her entertainment activities.
Although Jeongyeon resumed activities in 2021, she had to stop again after her panic disorder symptoms returned just two months later. Thanks to the support of her older sister Gong Seung Yeon, it is now known that Jeongyeon has recovered significantly, both physically and emotionally, bringing relief to fans.
Gain, Luna, and Jeongyeon’s stories show that even the most beloved stars can face invisible battles behind the stage. More importantly, their experiences reveal how powerful family support can be in times when someone feels unable to be alone. Their journeys are not just stories of pain, but also stories of survival, healing and silent growth.
Sources: Daum | MHN Sports
