AKMU’s Lee Su-hyun has drawn support after candidly opening up about the reasons behind her hiatus, revealing struggles with burnout, depression, and panic disorder.
Recently, through her YouTube channel, she shared, “It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when it started, but I think the exhaustion that built up since my ‘K-Pop Star’ days finally caught up with me.”
She pointed to the cancellation of her solo album plans as a major turning point. The project, which she had prepared independently while her brother Lee Chan-hyuk was serving in the Marine Corps, was completed internally but ultimately not released. She said the experience left her feeling discouraged.
Lee reflected, “I felt sorry to everyone I worked with, and at the same time, I wondered if I just wasn’t good enough,” adding, “That’s when my mindset started to weaken.” She also shared that when she expressed a desire to rest, some responses made it difficult to step away, which added to the pressure she was experiencing.
Despite continuing her activities, her condition worsened. “While I kept working, it felt like I was gradually wearing down,” she said. “When my energy reached its lowest point, I experienced a mental breakdown.” She added that it was only when her condition became more visible that those around her suggested she take a break.
Even after pausing her activities, recovery was not immediate. “I suddenly had freedom, but I ended up isolating myself at home,” she said. She also revealed that she coped through binge eating during that time, which affected both her physical and emotional well-being.
Her family eventually encouraged her to seek professional help. “My brother came home and suggested we go to the hospital,” she said, adding that she had been emotionally overwhelmed at the time. She also shared that her mother was deeply concerned.
Following medical consultation, Lee was diagnosed with several conditions, including insomnia, depression, lethargy, social anxiety, and panic disorder. She said, “I felt relieved to learn that what I thought was a personal flaw was actually something that could be treated,” adding that hearing “we can treat this” gave her a sense of hope.
As part of her recovery, she made efforts to change her routine and environment, including walking Spain’s Camino de Santiago. “From then on, I truly wanted to get better,” she said.
Following the release of the video, many viewers shared messages of support, expressing encouragement and appreciation for her openness.
Meanwhile, AKMU recently released their fourth full-length album, ‘Blooming.’