H.O.T. Tony An Reveals He Attempted Suicide Due to Depression in His 20s: 'I Had Bad Thoughts from High Places, I Even Held a Knife'

Tony An, a former member of H.O.T., is shocking audiences by vividly sharing his past struggles with severe depression. He confessed that during his mid to late 20s, he went through a tough time relying on alcohol and drugs to the point of contemplating suicide.

In the 10th anniversary special of tvN STORY 'How Did I Get Here' aired on the 29th, Tony An candidly shared his experiences with depression as a panelist. On this day, former World Bank President Kim Yong gave a lecture on the topic 'Is Korea Finished?' mentioning the issue of depression in Korean society, while Tony An highlighted the seriousness of depression through his real-life experiences.

Tony An recalled, 'I suffered from severe depression in my mid to late 20s. There was a time when I was so dependent on alcohol and drugs that I thought about death every day.' He revealed that there were many dangerous moments where he almost attempted extreme choices.

He said, 'I lived on a high floor and often looked down, having many bad thoughts. I even held a knife at one point. There were really many dangerous moments.' Tony An's confession showed that depression is not just an emotional issue but a serious illness that threatens life.

Reflecting on the causes of his depression, he analyzed that 'constant comparison with others' was a core issue. 'Later, when I thought about why I felt that way, it seemed to be comparison. Why are there so many people living better than me? Why are there so many people more successful than me? The obsession with needing to do better made me feel increasingly unhappy rather than happy, which I think worsened my depression,' he explained.

He particularly noted, 'I thought that my obsession with comparing myself to others to be more successful was a problem,' diagnosing that the obsession with success and the sense of comparison exacerbated his depression. This phenomenon is similar to the relative deprivation many young people experience through social media, which is why his confession resonates even more.

Meanwhile, on that day, former President Kim Yong also presented practical solutions for mental health. He introduced the 'Mind SOS' and the 'See, Hear, Speak' program initiated by Dr. Baek Jong-woo, emphasizing the importance of 'psychological first aid.' He particularly explained how to recognize the depressive signals of those around you through professional advice, stating, 'If I feel depressed when I enter a room with someone, that person is likely to be depressed too.'

Former President Kim Yong emphasized, 'We need to sincerely listen to whether that person is having a hard time. If someone looks at risk, let them know about the Korean Suicide Prevention Counseling Center at 109. There are definitely things we can do. All suicides are preventable.'

Tony An's courageous confession is delivering a message of hope to those facing similar difficulties, along with improving social awareness of depression. Especially, publicly discussing mental health issues, which can be burdensome for celebrities, is expected to positively impact the accessibility of treatment for those suffering from depression.