Comedian Jung Hyung-don Opens Up About 20-Year Struggle with Anxiety Disorder

Comedian Jung Hyung-don, who has been battling anxiety disorder for 20 years, reflected on his journey.

On the final episode of Channel A's 'Oh Eun-young's Golden Counseling Center' aired on the 26th, Jung Hyung-don candidly shared his long struggle with panic disorder.

Jung confessed, "Life is no longer fun," and described his existence as feeling like a "sailboat being pushed by the wind," expressing his disillusionment with life. He recalled starting work at the age of 17 and living as if he was being pushed along.

As a 20-year veteran in the entertainment industry, Jung reminisced about various experiences, including interactions with fans. He shared an incident where a fan grabbed his hoodie, causing him to fall, and another where a baby was snatched from him on the street, leaving him deeply anxious. These uncomfortable experiences accumulated, leading to nearly two decades of anxiety disorder.

Jung explained that his decision to step back from his peak in national entertainment was related to his anxiety. He self-criticized, saying, "Others overcome it well, but why was I born so weak?" and described the painful times he endured.

Dr. Oh Eun-young explained, "Anxiety is invisible, but there are ways to feel and respond to it," comforting Jung by affirming that his anxiety is a real and valid emotion.

Jung recalled experiencing burnout in 2015 after recording 106 episodes in three months and taking only two days off. He confessed, "I was so exhausted that I left Korea to escape and spend some time away."

Dr. Oh identified the root cause of Jung's anxiety as the 'economic responsibility as the head of the family.' She analyzed, "On the surface, it may seem like there are no issues with popularity and finances, but the burden of providing for the family amplifies the sense of economic responsibility," offering comfort to his troubled mind.

Reporter Lee So-jung, Ten Asia forusojung@tenasia.co.kr