‘Panic Disorder’ SISTAR’s Soyou Reveals She Took Psychiatric Medication: “Suffering from the Scenery Reflected in the Window”
On the October 30th, 2024 broadcast of the MBC Every1 entertainment program “Hidden Eye,” the topic of deepfake crimes was discussed.
During the show, Soyou revealed, “Actually, I am a victim of a deepfake crime. It happened 10 years ago, back when the term ‘deepfake’ didn’t even exist. I accidentally came across a site where the video was being discussed with comments like, ‘Is this you?’ and I was utterly shocked. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”
She continued, “Even this year, I didn’t know about it until fans reported it to me. Initially, when I only saw the pictures, it didn’t affect me much because it was so absurd. But as I watched the videos, I started feeling extremely uncomfortable.”
Recently, Soyou also appeared on KBS’s “Bodymentary,” where she disclosed that she had experienced panic disorder due to pressures related to her appearance and weight. “When I went on stage, I couldn’t even look at the cameras. I felt as if everyone was criticizing me, and it was terrifying. When I visited the hospital, I was diagnosed with panic disorder. At the time, there was a stigma around being prescribed medication from a psychiatrist,” she explained.
Her panic disorder was also the reason behind past controversies regarding her expressionless demeanor during SISTAR fan meetings and performances. Soyou clarified, “I heard the MC at the time asked me to smile, but I don’t even remember that. My lack of smiling became a topic of debate, and I faced a lot of criticism for it. In my mind, I was just focused on not collapsing on stage. I felt like I was going to throw up from head to toe, my whole body was tensing up, and I couldn’t breathe. With hundreds of people watching, I couldn’t afford to make a mistake.”
She added, “Back then, I went nearly two months consuming nothing but water, coffee, and my medication. I lost so much weight.”
Meanwhile, on the January 13th broadcast, the program revealed the top-ranked location where violent crimes occur most frequently. When the cast was presented with a case of a man unlawfully entering a women-only studio apartment and smelling “this item” in the hallway, they were left in shock. Kim Sung-joo commented “He seems to have mental issues“, expressing revulsion. Soyou also shared her own unsettling experience, “After appearing on a certain program, stalkers deduced my home’s location from the view reflected in a window. They knocked on my door or left notes behind.” Despite being the most familiar and comfortable space, a home can also become a crime target.
