MAMAMOO’s Hwasa opens up on mental toll from “indecency” controversy
MAMAMOO’s Hwasa revealed the emotional strain she endured after being reported to police for an "indecent" performance at a university festival last year. The controversy sparked fierce online debate and affected her deeply.
On the July 13 episode of KBS2’s Crazy Rich Koreans, Hwasa talked about the peak backlash and how it hit home.
"When the criticism hit its peak, I got a text from my mom for the first time. She asked, ‘Is my daughter okay?’
That message… ‘Are you okay?’ …it felt like my heart was being torn apart.
Even my mom and dad never used to understand me. So I told my mom, ‘You didn’t understand me when I was younger, so how could anyone else?’ And then she said, ‘I’m proud of my daughter.’ That really hit me."
— MAMAMOO’s Hwasa
Hwasa also revealed she experienced severe panic symptoms caused by the stress. She recalled breaking down at the airport in Türkiye, surrounded by staff who comforted her.
"At the airport in Türkiye, I suddenly felt really unstable. I’m not exaggerating, my unnies (older staff members) all hugged me at the same time. I just burst into tears right then. They might not remember it, but I could feel that, instinctively, they wanted to protect me. I’m so grateful for that."
— MAMAMOO’s Hwasa
She added she doesn’t label her symptoms as panic disorder but sometimes suffers overwhelming anxiety, which is eased by the support of her team.
"I don’t think of it as panic disorder, but sometimes I get this overwhelming sense of anxiety for no reason. Lately though, it’s been happening far less often. Whenever it does happen, I calm down if someone hugs me. The unnies know that now, so they come right away."
— MAMAMOO’s Hwasa
Hwasa also disclosed she has hearing issues caused by a recent in-ear monitor explosion during performances.
You can read more about her hearing issues here.
