Lizzy, a former member of the girl group After School, has spoken candidly about her ongoing struggle with severe depression during a recent Instagram live broadcast, drawing concern and attention from fans.
On the 28th, Lizzy hosted a live session on Instagram where she responded directly to questions from viewers. When asked about life as a celebrity, she offered a stark warning. “This is what a celebrity’s life is like. If you’re thinking about becoming one, I want to stop you. Don’t do it,” she said. “I was someone driven by interest and curiosity, which is why I chose this path, but I don’t recommend it—especially for female idols.”
She continued by reflecting on her career and personal regrets. “I don’t regret the job itself, but I regret many of my actions,” Lizzy said. “I don’t blame the work; I blame myself a lot.”
During the broadcast, Lizzy became visibly emotional, shedding tears as she described the weight of her depression. “I’m dealing with severe depression, to the point where people say things like, ‘Why would you want to die in such a good world?’” she said. “No matter how good the world seems, it’s incredibly hard for me to live in it.” She added that repeated comments and scrutiny leave her feeling exhausted and misunderstood.
Lizzy also shared a message of empathy for others who may be struggling. “When you’re having a hard time, you don’t have to force yourself to endure it alone,” she said. “Just surviving today is already a blessing. Living itself is something to be grateful for.”
At one point during the live broadcast, a viewer commented on her changed appearance. Lizzy responded firmly, saying, “If you’re going to talk about my old face, leave. Of course I don’t look the same—I’m 35 now, not 19.” She later questioned whether she was being overly sensitive, expressing visible frustration.
Although she briefly regained her composure by discussing skincare, Lizzy soon returned to the topic of her mental health. “Depression makes things very hard for me,” she said. “I just want to stay still. I’m someone who can think extremely when I’m depressed, so please don’t provoke or disturb me.”
Lizzy debuted with After School in 2010 and gained widespread popularity as part of the subunit Orange Caramel alongside Nana and Raina. She later transitioned into acting, appearing in dramas such as I Picked Up a Celebrity on the Road, Fates & Furies, Ugly Alert Season 17, and Oh My Baby.
Her career was interrupted in May 2021 when she was fined 15 million won for driving under the influence after colliding with a taxi near the Yeongdong Bridge South Intersection in Seoul. At the time, her blood alcohol level reportedly exceeded 0.08%, the threshold for license revocation. Following the incident, Lizzy largely stepped away from entertainment activities.
In August last year, she addressed the incident publicly during an appearance on the YouTube channel Jeng-the-Woman Jeong-ah. “There is no excuse—it was entirely my fault,” she said. “I sincerely apologize to the driver who was harmed and to everyone who supported and cared for me.”
Around that time, Lizzy also drew attention for her noticeably different appearance, both on YouTube and Instagram, prompting online speculation about cosmetic procedures—an issue she has neither confirmed nor denied.
Lizzy’s recent broadcast has reignited discussions around mental health, the pressures of celebrity life, and the lasting impact of public scrutiny on former idols.
