Actor Ahn Jae-wook recalls brain surgery during psychological counseling on talk show
Actor Ahn Jae-wook reveals his struggles with depression during his first psychological counseling session on "Daddy's Blooming Day." Courtesy of Channel A
Actor and singer Ahn Jae-wook undergoes his first psychological counseling session, candidly revealing his struggle with midlife depression in Channel A's talk show, "Daddy's Blooming Day."
In the upcoming 13th episode airing on Thursday, the 54-year-old father Ahn seeks psychological counseling from a specialist.
Ahn said, "I've always been interested, but I was afraid to go to the hospital because I was worried about what others might think."
On this day, he visits a mental health clinic for the first time in his life and fills out a preliminary questionnaire. After entering the counseling room, he cautiously begins to share his story with the specialist.
Ahn reveals, "About 15 years ago, I was so overwhelmed by severe depression that I stopped everything and went on a month-long trip."
He confesses, "I've tried various ways to cope with my feelings, but honestly, it's always been tough." He adds, "Regardless of the many ups and downs in my life and the emotions I've developed, I have an obsessive desire for my children (Soo-hyun and Do-hyun) to grow up happily without any issues."
Ahn also talks about his difficult childhood, saying, "I didn't grow up in a very good environment, so I could never escape the responsibility and confines of my family home."
Ahn recounts a turning point in his life: 11 years ago, during a trip to the United States, he underwent emergency surgery for a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
The surgery, which cost 500 million won, affected more than half of his brain. "It was such a major surgery that I let go of everything," he says. He even asked the medical team, "If something goes wrong with the surgery, please erase all the memories I want to forget."
The specialist, after hearing Ahn's story, explains, "It seems the surgery has increased your trauma and anxiety about illness and danger."
Ahn's psychological counseling session will air on the 13th episode of "Daddy's Blooming Day" on Thursday night.
Actor Ahn Jae-wook, right, in Genie TV's drama "Not Others" / Courtesy of Genie TV
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.