Popular K-Pop Idol Confesses To Panic Attacks, Sparks Major Concern

Fans didn’t know.

Recently, MONSTA X’s Kihyun held a live broadcast and openly shared his experience with burnout and panic attacks.

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🐹 저 번아웃 온 거 알죠
🐹 저도 여러분 모르시겠지만 저는 막
🐹 저 막 공황 와가지고 막 비행기도 못 탈 뻔하고 있어요
🐹 여러분들이 몰라서 그렇지
🐹 콘서트에서도 막 약 먹고 올라가고 이런 적도 있었고 옛날에
🐹 예전에 지금은 아니에요 지금은 아닌데 예전에 있었어요
🐹… pic.twitter.com/C1HMBgMOCV

— 😮 (@mylifeki) March 3, 2026

“I know I had burnout. You all might not know this, but there were times I couldn’t get on a plane because I had a panic attack. It’s just you guys didn’t know. In the past, there were times I took medication before going on stage for a concert. Not now, but back then. But no one knew, right? But I somehow managed. I guess I didn’t even talk about this back then. It happened a long time ago. It lasted quite a long time. It happened sometimes, even up until I enlisted in the military. But what can you do? It’s not like anything changes because of it. But I am able to receive comfort from so many people. But for those who go to work every day, they don’t have anyone to talk to. Whom do they have to lean on?

If it really became unbearable, I would have leaned on you guys. But I think expressing it outwardly wouldn’t be good for me. Now, when I get on a plane, I just eat my meal and fall asleep. Concerts are so fun now. Back then, I couldn’t sleep properly. I’d fall asleep, but suddenly my eyes would open, and my heart would start racing. There was a period like that. Because I’m where I am now, I can talk about this. I know I shouldn’t have, but I kept going to counseling, and my mindset kept thinking, ‘Damn, is this really all I am?’ and I just quit getting help. So it dragged on longer than it should have. But I’m ok now.”

— Kihyun

Although fans were grateful that he was comfortable enough to share his vulnerable moments, they couldn’t help but feel heartbroken at everything he has gone through.

i’m glad he’s ok now and is able to open up about it but this really breaks my heart, he’s always been a source of comfort and strength for mbbs and it hurts to know there’s not much we could do to help him, i really hope he knows how loved and appreciated he is by so many people https://t.co/5SWynjSL3U

— ‎✮ (@CULTHYUK) March 3, 2026

The fact that the person who is my comfort goes through this is heartbreaking. Kihyun deserves so much :( https://t.co/YWFowkUM1E

— Hamsini 🦢 (@kihyunserenade) March 3, 2026

you really never know what’s going on behind the scenes, even to someone who always seems so positive full of energy 🥺

you’re so strong Kihyun, thank you for sharing this with us ♥️ https://t.co/9osqMSmpiF

— ꕤ Anne ⋈ (@IMjuicyKyun) March 3, 2026

I’ve never seen someone as strong on the inside as Kihyun.

On his bubble, he talked how there were times when he had panic attacks so bad he thought he wouldn’t even be able to get on a plane, and there were times he took medication before going on stage for a concert. Kihyun…

— ⋅ 🌸 an anna 🌸 ⋅ (@ann_kitteh) March 3, 2026

MONSTA X