On the July 29th episode of tvN STORY’s “No Way I’m an Adult” 10th-anniversary special, former World Bank President Jim Yong Kim delivered a lecture on the deep-rooted issue of depression in Korea. Former H.O.T member Tony An emphasized, “Anxiety and loneliness are closely related to suffering. These are treatable issues, and the only way to overcome them is for the entire nation to collectively demand change.”
He also mentioned how, in the United States, many celebrities openly discuss their mental health struggles, naming Dwayne Johnson, Lady Gaga, and Emma Thompson as examples.
Moved by the topic, Tony An, who was present as a panelist, shared his personal experience: “I went through a really hard time in my late 20s. I depended heavily on alcohol and medication, to the point where I thought about death daily.”
Reflecting on the reasons behind his depression, he added, “Looking back, I think it was due to constant comparisons. As social media grew, I found myself wondering why so many people were more successful or better off than me. That obsession with success made me feel unhappy.”
When asked whether he had moments of extreme thoughts, Tony responded honestly: “I used to live on a high floor, and I often looked down with dark thoughts. I even held a knife once.”
He concluded with a sobering insight: “There were many dangerous moments. But I’ve come to realize that it stemmed from obsessively comparing myself to others and trying too hard to succeed.”
Meanwhile, “No Way I’m an Adult” airs every Tuesday at 8:20 PM KST on tvN STORY.
Nate
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