Actor Kim Seung-soo has confessed to being in a state of severe anxiety and depression.
On the December 1st episode of SBS’s “My Ugly Duckling,” Kim Seung-soo and Heo Kyung-hwan visited a mental health counseling center to reveal secrets they had never spoken of before.
During the session, they began with a task of untangling string, which Kim Seung-soo admitted he particularly dislikes. He confessed, “When I’m feeling unwell, I dream of untangling string…since I was 7 years old.” He explained further, “The dream still occurs when I’m not in good condition, and it makes me feel very uneasy. I’ve never untangled the string in the dream,” drawing attention with his revelation.
The counselor suggested that Kim Seung-soo seemed to be severely affected by psychological issues. Kim shared, “My father passed away when I was six years old. We lived comfortably when he was alive but began to face economic difficulties thereafter.” He recalled, “Though I was too young to fully understand death, I often heard people telling me to take good care of my mother, which made me feel a lot of responsibility and pressure.”
In a pre-consultation questionnaire, Kim noted his greatest difficulty was “bearing the weight on his shoulders.” He has accepted stress as part of life, growing up with the belief that he must always perform well and prove himself, enduring 30 years in the entertainment industry.
Despite having around 2000 contacts saved on his phone, he confided that he does not have anyone with whom he can genuinely share his thoughts. This lack of genuine connections means Kim manages everything by himself, making and regretting decisions alone. He admitted to feeling depressive and anxious daily, sometimes wishing for the next day not to come. He stopped listening to music, which he once loved, because it made him feel overly sensitive and led him to thoughts of disappearing.
Kim hasn’t cried since high school, processing emotions through thought rather than feelings. He occasionally has intense emotional outbursts, realizing he may be suppressing his emotions too much, and fears for impulsive reactions as a result.
Describing his relationship with his mother as special, Kim said they talk daily for 20-30 minutes and meet once or twice a week. While he takes pride in being the head of the family, it can also feel overwhelming at times.
Counselors suggested he find ways to express his pent-up anger and emotions, noting his frequent use of “comfort and relaxation” in his questionnaire answers. This prompted his mother to express her heartfelt concern.
Meanwhile, Kim Seung-soo has been depicted in a romantic storyline with fellow actor Yang Jung-a on “My Ugly Duckling,” which had audiences rooting for a real-life romance. However, the recent counseling session suggested their relationship might be more business-like.