Korean American singer Eric Nam is drawing attention after candidly revealing the pain he endured during his Korea promotions — including a shocking battle with panic disorder — and sharing what he’s up to now.
Appearing recently on the YouTube channel JAYKEEOUT, Eric Nam looked back on the period when he was most active in Korea, confessing, "On the outside, I had a bright, positive image, but in reality I felt extremely lonely and stressed." He added, "My mental health really collapsed, and my overall physical condition deteriorated."
Eric Nam revealed he even suffered severe physical symptoms caused by panic disorder. "I survived on juk — rice porridge — for three months. I experienced numbness in my arms, fingers, and legs," he said. "I even lost sensation on one side of my face," he confessed, shocking viewers. He added, "The pressure to maintain a cheerful image was actually the hardest part."
After this experience, Eric Nam expanded his activities overseas. Now, he’s challenging himself in new areas, taking part not only in music but also in creating video content. "I’m involved in producing Hollywood films and series — not just appearing, but participating from planning to production," he explained.
Still, he admitted there are struggles that come with his hectic schedule. "I’m working alone without a manager or staff. I haven’t stayed in one place for more than a week for over a year," he said. He added, "The loneliness I feel through this process even influenced my recent album work."
Eric Nam first made his name in 2011 through MBC’s audition program Star Audition: The Great Birth 2. Moving between music and television, he has remained active — and now he’s expanding on the global stage, taking on new challenges.