Hwasa Breaks Down Over Past Controversy: “I Had Panic Attacks, My Mom’s Message Tore My Heart”
On the July 13 episode of KBS2’s Crazy Rich Koreans, Hwasa appeared as a guest and opened up emotionally about the difficult time.
“My Mom’s Text Broke Me”
Hwasa recalled, “At the peak of the criticism, my mom texted me saying, ‘Are you okay, my daughter?’ My heart felt like it was being torn apart.”
She continued, “When I thought about it objectively, I realized even my parents didn’t fully understand me. So I told my mom, ‘You didn’t understand me when I was younger, so how could strangers?’ Then she said, ‘I’m proud of you, my daughter.’“
Supported by Her Team, Yet Still in Tears
She thanked her staff and close team members, “The unnies (older sisters) would make me laugh, not ask ‘Are you okay?’ I cried a lot behind the scenes because I was so grateful. Even now, I feel like crying.”
Hwasa revealed that she suffered panic attacks after the controversy, “When I looked unstable, they all hugged me at once. That’s when I broke down crying. I could feel they were instinctively trying to protect me.”
She described the experience further, “There are times I feel an inexplicable sense of anxiety. It feels like I can’t breathe. But it’s getting better now. Whenever someone hugs me during those moments, the anxiety fades. And they always seemed to know when to do that.”
Reflecting on the 2023 Controversy
She was later investigated by the Seoul Seongdong Police Station. Ultimately, the case was dropped, and Hwasa was cleared of all charges.