Eric Nam opens up about past struggles, explains reduced Korean TV appearances

Singer Eric Nam has candidly shared the hardships he faced during his time promoting in Korea, as well as the reasons behind his reduced appearances on local television.

Recently, a video titled “Ran Into Eric Nam on the Street and Ended Up Busking” was uploaded to the YouTube channel ‘JAYKEEOUT.’ In the video, Eric Nam meets longtime acquaintance Jay, catching up and opening up about his experiences.

Reflecting on his busy years in Korea, Eric Nam revealed that despite his bright public image, he struggled with severe loneliness and mental stress. He shared that he experienced panic disorder, which at times led to partial physical paralysis, and went through a difficult period where he survived on porridge for about three months.

He also explained the shift in his career direction. Eric Nam has since expanded his activities globally, currently appearing on the U.S. reality show ‘The Traitors.’ Beyond music, he has been involved in producing Hollywood films and series, taking part not only as a performer but also in planning and production.

Despite his success, he noted that his current lifestyle is far from easy. Traveling alone without a manager or staff, he has maintained a demanding schedule across the globe, rarely staying in one place for more than a week over the past year. He added that the loneliness he feels through this lifestyle has also become a central theme in his recent album.

Toward the end of the video, Eric Nam is seen performing an impromptu street busking session, naturally connecting with passersby through music.

Eric Nam debuted in 2013 and continues to expand his career across multiple fields, including global tours, music, broadcasting, and content production.

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