Several Korean stars have opened up about their struggles with panic disorder, revealing how family support helped them endure some of the darkest periods of their lives.

Gain And Luna Reveal The Pain Behind Their Hiatuses

Brown Eyed Girls’ Gain recently shared an update through her personal account, raising expectations for a possible return to activities. Gain had stepped away from the spotlight for a long time after being summarily indicted in 2021 on charges of propofol use and receiving a fine of 1 million KRW. At the time, she personally apologized, admitting that her actions were socially inappropriate.

Last year, Gain appeared on the channel of her close celebrity friend Im Seulong and spoke honestly about her long hiatus. She confessed that she had spent most of her time at home while dealing with depression, insomnia, and panic disorder.

During that period, the person who helped pull Gain back into the world was her mother. Gain shared that she was able to endure because she helped at the store run by her mother. “I was able to hold on because I helped at my mother’s shop. I am thankful that she helped me get through that time.” Her confession drew attention as fans saw a more vulnerable side of the singer, who is now slowly reconnecting with the public.

f(x)’s Luna also revealed her experience with panic disorder. On May 24, Luna appeared on MBC’s “Please Take Care of My Mom” and spoke about the emotional pain she experienced while continuing her idol activities in her mid-20s. She said that at first, she did not even know whether what she was experiencing was depression or panic disorder.

However, as time passed, the symptoms became increasingly severe. “At first, I didn’t know if it was depression or panic disorder, but it got worse over time.” Luna also revealed how serious the pain felt at its worst. “When the symptoms were severe, it felt like someone was stabbing my legs with a knife.”

Her mother became the person who stayed by her side when she was struggling the most. Luna had tried not to show how much pain she was in, but her mother remained with her until the end. Looking back, Luna broke down in tears as she realized how painful the experience must have been for her parents as well. “I was going through such a hard time back then, but now that time has passed, I think I understand how much pain my parents must have felt too.”

Jeongyeon’s Sister Helped Her Through A Difficult Time

TWICE’s Jeongyeon also received powerful support from family while struggling with panic disorder and anxiety disorder. This time, the person who stood by her was her older sister, actress Gong Seung Yeon.

On May 13, Gong Seung Yeon appeared on tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block,” where she spoke about her deep affection for Jeongyeon. During the show, she received a surprise video letter from her younger sister. In the video, Jeongyeon expressed her gratitude and revealed how much Gong Seung Yeon had helped her during a difficult time. “When I was having a hard time, my sister held onto me and took me to the hospital.”

Jeongyeon had previously faced major physical and emotional challenges after undergoing treatment for a neck disc issue in 2020. Due to side effects from steroids, she was diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, which caused sudden physical changes, including weight gain. At the same time, she also struggled with panic disorder and anxiety disorder, leading her to temporarily suspend her entertainment activities.

Although Jeongyeon resumed activities in 2021, she had to pause again after panic disorder symptoms returned just two months later. Thanks to the support of her older sister Gong Seung Yeon, Jeongyeon is now known to have recovered significantly, both physically and emotionally, bringing relief to fans.

The stories of Gain, Luna, and Jeongyeon show that even beloved stars can face invisible battles behind the stage. More importantly, their experiences reveal how powerful family support can be in moments when someone feels unable to stand alone. Their journeys are not just stories of pain, but also stories of survival, healing, and quiet growth.

Sources: Daum | MHN스포츠