Actor Ahn Jae-wook will candidly discuss his experiences with midlife depression during his first-ever psychological counseling session on the 13th episode of Channel A's 'Dad is a Flower Boy,'.
At 54, Ahn Jae-wook seeks the help of a professional, saying, "I want to find the root cause of the unbearable weight of life." Despite his interest in mental health, he admitted to being afraid to visit a hospital due to concern over others' perceptions. On this occasion, he bravely visits a psychiatrist and fills out a preliminary questionnaire.
In the consultation room, a visibly nervous Ahn Jae-wook begins to share his story. He recounts, "Fifteen years ago, I also suffered from severe depression and had to stop working to travel for about a month." He revealed that despite various attempts to cope with his depressive feelings, he often found it challenging. "Regardless of my tumultuous life and the emotions it brought, I have an increasing compulsion for my children to grow up bright and problem-free," he confessed.
Ahn Jae-wook also reflected on his difficult upbringing, stating, "Since I did not grow up in a very good environment, I always felt responsible for my family and could never escape from that burden." He wiped sweat from his brow as he recounted his past responsibilities as the head of his household.
The most poignant part of his story was his emergency surgery in the United States 11 years ago for a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a turning point in his life. The surgery, which cost around 500 million won (approximately 390,000 US dollars), required opening more than half of his brain. "I had to let go of everything," he recalled. He even requested the medical team to erase any painful memories if the surgery went wrong, highlighting the emotional turmoil he was experiencing at that time.
The psychiatrist, after hearing Ahn Jae-wook's story, commented, "Your condition back then was on the verge of collapse," and explained that post-surgery, his trauma and anxiety regarding illness and danger had likely increased. This diagnosis visibly shocked Ahn Jae-wook.
Viewers are left wondering about Ahn Jae-wook's psychological state as diagnosed by the psychiatrist and how the session might alter his outlook.
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