Eric Nam / Captured from Jaykeeout's YouTube channel
Singer Eric Nam is opening up about a painful chapter behind his career pivot, revealing that severe health issues — including suffering from panic disorder and temporary paralysis — played a key role in his decision to step back from Korean broadcast activities.
In a YouTube video uploaded in March on creator Jaykeeout’s channel, the singer-actor appeared as a guest in a street-interview-style segment titled “Running into Eric Nam and suddenly busking.” The casual encounter turned into a candid conversation about the toll his earlier career in Korea took on him.
Eric Nam / Captured from Jaykeeout's YouTube channel
Reflecting on his time promoting in the country, Nam said, “To be honest, there were a lot of things that were really hard while living in Korea. My mental health got worse, and overall my physical health declined too.”
When the host expressed surprise — noting his consistently upbeat on-screen image — Nam pointed to that very contrast as part of the problem.
“That was the hardest part,” he said. “On screen, I looked positive, bright, kind and fun. But inside, I was really struggling. Even just sitting down to have a cup of coffee felt a little scary.”
He then detailed the severity of his condition. “As my health worsened, I ate nothing but porridge for three months. I developed panic disorder, and I experienced paralysis in my arms, fingers, back discs and legs. At one point, the right side of my face suddenly lost sensation,” he said, shocking viewers.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Nam shifted the focus of his career to the United States. He has since expanded his activities beyond music, appearing on U.S. reality series “The Traitors” and participating in the production of Hollywood films and series.
Still, he said the new chapter has come with its own challenges.
Source: Korea Times News
