Mija Opens Up About Overcoming Depression with Park Na-rae's Support

TV personality Mija recently shared a touching story about her friend Park Na-rae on the KBS2 show 'Park Won-sook's Living Together,' which aired on the 18th.

During the episode, Mija revealed that she struggled with depression in the past. She explained, "I hit a major low point at the age of thirty. I had been dealing with depression. Since elementary school, I worked tirelessly, attending academies and pursuing comedy, but things didn't go as planned. When comedy programs disappeared when I was thirty, I felt alone and unaccomplished. I spent my twenties like a high school senior, studying and staying up all night, without even watching a single movie."

Mija continued, "I had big ambitions from a young age, and my goals were set too high. A close friend once said, 'I have no regrets about my twenties.' I thought, 'Isn't she wasting her future by not preparing for it?' Meanwhile, I was losing my hair from stress. But she was genuinely happy, and it felt like a wake-up call. In the end, we both had nothing left, but she had happy memories. That's when depression hit me hard, and I couldn't leave my room." Mija admitted that during this time, she would often shout at her family and make extreme remarks.

Mija shared that despite her lack of recognition and work, she was forced to perform due to contractual obligations, which took her a decade to overcome. "I was terrified of people, and it took me ten years to return to normal," she said.

However, Mija found healing through the kindness of others, particularly Park Na-rae. "Park Na-rae kept calling me and inviting me to her home, helping me practice socializing. She can't stand to see someone in distress," Mija expressed her gratitude. Her mother, Jeon Sung-ae, added, "Park Na-rae is a lifesaver. She's such a wonderful friend."

Reported by Kim Ji-won, TenAsia. Contact: one@tenasia.co.kr