EXID Hani opens up on mental health struggles: 'I felt deep depression... wanted to run away'

Time of India

15-07-2025

EXID member turned actress Hani (real name Ahn Hee-yeon) recently appeared on a popular
mental health
talk show where she bared her soul about her inner struggles. Dressed casually in comfortable trackwear, far from her glamorous stage persona, Hani confessed, "I've been good at sensing others' emotions since childhood. I've always lived by first considering someone else's position and feelings."
But then came an unexpected twist that many young Indians can relate to - "Recently, I realized I'm actually someone who's completely oblivious to social cues." This revelation mirrors the internal conflict many Indian youth face between societal expectations and personal desires, especially in our generation where we're constantly trying to read the room while losing ourselves in the process.
The Burden of Being in the Spotlight
Hani's confession about her career pressures struck a chord that resonates deeply with India's social media generation. "It's a job where you have to show yourself, and what I do matters. Especially after gaining love through fan cams, I felt this overwhelming pressure to meet people's expectations," she shared.
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She continued, "I started my entertainment career at such a young age that when my contract ended, I realized I knew nothing about the world. I had lived like a frog in a well." This sentiment echoes what many young Indians experience - whether it's child actors in Bollywood, young cricketers, or even social media influencers who find fame early but struggle with real-world experiences.
The pressure to constantly perform and meet expectations is something that transcends cultures. Just like how Indian youth often feel the weight of family expectations in academics or career choices, Hani felt trapped by public expectations of her image.
EXID's Hani visits India
Love, Marriage, and Life's Unexpected Turns
Hani had planned to marry psychiatrist Yang Jae-woong in September last year, but had to postpone due to circumstances involving his medical practice. About this situation, she reflected, "I realized that things happening to me aren't always within my control. I learned that my life doesn't always go according to my will."
People around her questioned her choices, asking "Why are you choosing such a thorny path?" But Hani's responded, "I've learned to let go of the desire to control life. It feels like I've been given time to prepare for the things I want to do."
Finding Peace Through Ancient Wisdom
The most fascinating part of Hani's journey was her decision to seek "mental stability through temple stays, not just domestically but even in India." Her journey to India for
spiritual healing
comes at a time when Desi youth are exploring Korean culture through
K-pop
and K-dramas.
Expert Insights and Personal Growth
The mental health expert on the show provided a sharp analysis: "You're missing the social cues that you really need to catch." Hani admitted, "For the first time, I felt deep depression and thought I couldn't live like this. It was overwhelming. I wanted to run away."