Minnie recently appeared on the YouTube channel WOODY, where she bravely shared her struggles with depression and panic attacks.
She recalled how the COVID-19 pandemic had affected her, explaining that after spending so much time performing without a live audience, she struggled to readjust when concerts finally resumed. The sudden presence of a crowd overwhelmed her, triggering a sense of panic.
“I was performing on stage, and suddenly, I could feel all the eyes on me. I kept thinking, ‘Why are they looking? What are they looking at?’” she shared.
Minnie admitted that the group’s world tour was particularly challenging for her. Every time she spotted a camera pointed in her direction, intrusive thoughts flooded her mind. She found herself constantly battling self-doubt, hearing voices whispering, “Get out of here,” “You shouldn’t be here,” and “This is not your place.”
As they traveled from country to country, these feelings grew stronger. At first, Minnie kept them to herself, unsure of how to express what she was going through. Eventually, she confided in her manager, who encouraged her to seek medical help upon returning to Korea. However, it took a week before she could finally see a doctor, and during that time, the negative thoughts persisted.
When she finally sat down with a professional, the doctor asked why it had taken her so long to seek help. Reflecting on it, Minnie admitted that the warning signs had been there for a while, but they had gone unnoticed.
The doctor diagnosed her with depression, explaining that many people come in just to talk. But for Minnie, that wasn’t an easy option. “As an idol, I don’t have the time,” she pointed out, highlighting the difficulty of prioritizing mental health in such a demanding industry.
Throughout the conversation, Minnie emphasized the importance of mental well-being and urged people to take care of themselves. She became emotional as she talked about learning to let go of past mistakes and not dwell on things that can’t be changed.
She also offered heartfelt advice, encouraging people to be kinder to themselves while also being mindful of their words. “You never know how your words might affect someone,” she reminded viewers.
After the interview was released, fans and netizens alike praised Minnie for her honesty and courage in speaking out about mental health, especially in an industry where such conversations are still rare.