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Winner's Mino addresses panic and bipolar disorders, says ‘life felt like a tragedy’

In an episode of 'Oh Eun Young's Gold Counseling Center', Winner members appeared as special guests where Mino opened up about his mental issues

A lot of idols are currently on hiatus to focus on their mental health-related issues and just as common as it gets, many more idols are silently suffering from anxiety or other mental illnesses. With K-pop fans finally maturing and understanding that their idols are not some factory-made robots but normal people with normal issues, K-pop idols are becoming brave enough to discuss their mental health issues openly.

In an episode of ‘Oh Eun Young’s Gold Counselling Center’ a show that is hosted by Dr. Oh Eun Young, a psychiatrist, and mentor. On the show, guests speak to Dr. Oh about their mental health issues in order to find solace. On March 25, Winner (aka WINNER) members visited Dr Oh Counselling Center and appeared as special guests to receive counseling from Doctor Oh Eun Young. While all members had something emotional and deep to say to the psychiatrist, Winner’s Mino (Song Min Ho) made a shocking revelation for the first time on national television.

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Winner's Mino talks about his mental health issues

Mino revealed that it had been five years since he had officially been diagnosed with panic disorder. He stated that back in 2017 he started experiencing panic attacks where he would not be able to breathe and felt like he was about to die. Mino also revealed that he showed signs of Bipolar disorder around the same time. Promising fans he is getting the help he said, “I was diagnosed with panic disorder and bipolar disorder so I am getting treatment and medicine for them.” It was a hard revelation from Mino that shocked his members as well as the audiences watching.

It was later revealed that the members of Winner don’t discuss deep issues amongst themselves which is why his bandmates were not aware of his struggles. Mino explained his sudden rise to fame after going solo as well as the sudden recognition he started getting for his music for his art skills were something that made him anxious.

Mino said, “I was having a really hard time on shoots. Whenever we stopped filming I would cry when no one was watching and then go back to filming as if it was nothing.” Making an extremely striking point, Mino said, “When the cameras stop rolling, life felt like a tragedy.”

'Being an idol is so hard'

Fans of Mino are now emotional as the rapper bares it all for the first time on national television. One fan said, “I feel so sad for Mino… having anxiety, panics attacks, bpd and bipolar disorder while having to appear always at his best on and off camera to not worry anyone watching and ppl around him and to avoid bad comments of stupid people bc it could make it worse for his mental health.”

Another fan said, “Once Mino said that painting helps him to cope with panic attacks, stress and he opened up about having bipolar disorder. He is so strong and brave, for telling about it, because it's not easy thing to talk about. Thank you Mino for being so strong. I hope you're doing well.” One fan said, “​​The fact that Mino has never stopped working for more than a few months since 2017, has probably filmed like 12+ variety shows in 5 years, winner comebacks, solo comebacks and everything in between while suffering with panic disorder and bipolar disorder is just insane.”

One fan said, “When it comes to song mino, i'm a softie. he told on national tv he has a panic disorder and a bipolar disorder. it's not easy to open up in public. i admire his courage to open up. thank you mino for being brave and fighting.” One more fan said, “Mino saying he has bpd and a panic disorder whilst crying f**k man all too relatable.” One fan said, “Just saw the vid of song mino talking about his panic disorder...*sigh* being an idol is so hard.”