Author releases book, album on postpartum depression

Joung Saenansul

By Lee Kyung-min

Postpartum depression should be addressed more openly to encourage young mothers to seek treatment instead of feeling shame, said Joung Saenansul, an illustrator, writer and singer-songwriter.

She recently wrote a book called “Da Keun Yeoja,” roughly translated as “A Grown Woman,” to discuss her early rebellious life, marriage, childbirth, divorce, postpartum depression, suicide attempt and thoughts on life. She also released an album with the same title.

“Many women suffering from depression do not dare come forward, instead sitting at home alone, quiet, unable to improve the situation,” she said.

While she was going through emotional turmoil following the birth of her daughter, the depression worsened because she had no one to rely on.

“I once roamed around my home crying, holding my baby, feeling absolutely lost. I had no sense of what I was supposed to do. I had a newborn that came out of my body, but I was overwhelmed by the uncontrollable outpouring of emotions, the unidentifiable, indescribable feelings that dragged me down,” she said.

“If there had been one person next to me to tell me what I was going through was a phase and assure me it does not mean that I am an unfit mother, it would have been easier for me to endure that period.”

Joung is the only child of Joung Tae-choon and Park Eun-ok, a singer couple who were political and cultural icons in the 1970-80s. She said she would like to use her rather easily earned celebrity status to help encourage young mothers who have had similar experiences.

"I know that I got famous largely due to my parents. I would like to take advantage of it for a good reason, to help bring about positive social change,” she said.

“While most would think that motherhood is an instinctual trait, I think, for some, it is something to be acquired. The emotional ups and downs should also be considered a natural part of the process of becoming a mother,” she added.

Korean society should be more open to discussing mental health issues publicly, she added.

“We live in a society that stigmatizes those who openly say they suffer from depression or suicidal thoughts, dismissing their pain and labeling them as abnormal, let alone understanding them. I want to change social perception.”

“I want a society that accepts people as they are rather than what society wants them to be, especially since I have a daughter. I want her to lead a life that she loves in a society that lets her be her without having to worry about what others would think.”