AKMU’s Suhyun opens up about slump, shares struggles with burnout and recovery

Suhyun of AKMU has opened up about her past slump, sharing a candid look into one of the most difficult periods of her life.

On April 17, Suhyun uploaded a video titled “Everything about Suhyun’s Blooming Project” on her YouTube channel, where she spoke in detail about her struggles.

Reflecting on how her slump began, Suhyun said it was not triggered by a single moment but rather the result of accumulated exhaustion from years of nonstop activities since her ‘K-pop Star’ days. She recalled preparing a solo album while her brother Lee Chan Hyuk was serving in the military, only for the project to be shelved despite being completed. “That was the first time I experienced a major sense of defeat,” she said.

She also shared the emotional burden she carried at the time. “I felt guilty for disappointing the people I worked with, and at the same time, I started to question whether I lacked ability. That’s when I began to feel depressed,” she explained. Despite wanting to take a break, she was told her feelings were “a luxury,” which left her shocked as she realized she could not step away from work even if she wanted to.

As she continued working, her condition worsened. “I felt like I was being worn down. By the time I realized I had run out of energy, I had already mentally collapsed,” she said, adding that only after visible signs appeared did those around her encourage her to rest.

Even after halting activities, recovery was not immediate. Suhyun revealed that she became increasingly withdrawn, describing herself as living like a recluse. “I relied on binge eating for comfort and gained 20 to 30 kilograms. I hated looking at myself in the mirror. My self-esteem hit rock bottom,” she recalled.

A turning point came through her family. Suhyun shared that Lee Chan Hyuk encouraged her to seek professional help. “It was unusual for my brother to come home just to talk. At the time, I was distancing myself from my family, and they didn’t know how to approach me. My mother cried often,” she said.

She eventually visited a hospital, where she was diagnosed with insomnia, depression, lethargy, social anxiety, and panic disorder. “I had thought something was wrong with me as a person, but learning that these were illnesses brought me relief,” she said. “When the doctor told me it was treatable, I felt saved. That’s when I decided I needed to get better.”

As part of her recovery journey, Suhyun revealed that she later set out on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, marking a new step toward healing.

SEE MORE: AKMU's Lee Suhyun opens up about her 30kg weight loss journey: "I never want to go through that again"