MAMAMOO's Hwasa opens up about mental health struggles following indecency controversy: 'Just reading ‘Are you okay?’ broke my heart'

Hwasa from MAMAMOO was on the KBS2 show 'Crazy Rich Koreans' on July 13. She got real about how tough it was dealing with all the drama after her performance at that university festival back in May 2023.

You know, the one where some people thought her moves were too much. Even though the cops checked it out and didn't find anything wrong, still, it messed with her head for a while.

As shared on broadcast and interviews

In her deeply personal appearance on ‘Crazy Rich Koreans,’ Hwasa opened up about the emotional aftermath of the indecency controversy that followed her provocative university performance in May 2023. She recalled a pivotal moment when her mother sent her a text saying, “Are you okay, my daughter?”, which deeply affected her — simply reading those words brought her to tears. Hwasa shared that even during her childhood, she often felt misunderstood, saying to her mother, “If even you couldn’t understand me growing up, how could others?”, to which her mother responded, “You’re my proud daughter.” The fallout from the controversy triggered panic symptoms during Mamamoo’s U.S. tour, notably at a Turkish airport, where her members instinctively embraced her, leading her to break down in tears which was a moment she believes they may not even remember but which meant everything to her.

Hwasa described these episodes of anxiety as moments when she suddenly feels unable to breathe, noting that being hugged by someone helps calm her down. She also admitted to experiencing memory lapses, attributing them to the relentless pace of her career, stating, “I don’t remember well. I think it’s because of the busy lifestyle.” Her thoughts got folks talking more about mental health in K-pop. It shows the struggles idols deal with that you don't normally see.