K-Pop Star DinDin Opens Up About His 'Celebrity Syndrome' and Personal Growth

DinDin candidly confessed his experience with 'celebrity syndrome' on the YouTube show 'Salon Drip'.

On the 25th, the YouTube variety show 'Salon Drip' featured singer DinDin.

During the show, DinDin admitted to having 'celebrity syndrome'. After returning to Korea from a three-year study in Canada to pursue rap, he said, "The persona I showed on 'Show Me the Money 2' was just my lifestyle. The line about using my mom's credit card was true. People thought it was all bravado, but it didn't bother me. I thought I was G-Dragon, and that's why I crashed."

After appearing on 'Show Me the Money 2', DinDin gained recognition just a month after his military discharge. "People started recognizing me, which was a first in my life. I would meet up with Mad Clown and Swings in Hongdae just to show off. I really want to go back and beat myself up for that. I dislike that version of me so much," he shared.

Seeing DinDin's inflated ego, Lee Hyun Do sharply remarked, "Do you think you've become something? Not even one in ten people passing by know who you are. Do you think you're G-Dragon?" DinDin expressed gratitude, saying, "At the time, I retorted, 'A lot of people know me,' and was irked by the G-Dragon mention, but it made me come to my senses."

Later, as a member of '2 Days & 1 Night', DinDin made headlines during the 2022 Qatar World Cup for criticizing coach Paulo Bento on a radio show, expressing skepticism about advancing to the round of 16.

He reflected, "People liked me, so I became arrogant. I thought I was always right. Whenever I spoke, it was considered a bold statement. But during the World Cup, I said nonsense and got a reality check. I realized I could never be Kim Woo-bin. I still have a lot to improve."

DinDin credited his sisters for helping him gain self-awareness, saying, "I got a lot of criticism for 'Real Men'. People said, 'When will he become a decent person?' It was mentally exhausting, but my sisters said, 'People don't know, but he's actually become a decent person.'"

Thanks to his sisters' words, DinDin realized, 'The current me is the best version of myself.' He confessed, "My sisters told me to think about when I was in Canada. I was a bit cheap when I first entered the entertainment industry. I feel like I'm getting better."

By Eun Jung Kim, TenAsia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr