[Sportschosun Lee Ji-hyun] Actress Ryu Hye-young confessed that she suffered from anxiety for a long time after the attention that poured in following "Reply 1988," saying she was afraid of the sudden spotlight.
On the MBC program "I Live Alone," which aired on the 19th, Ryu Hye-young's single life as a one-person household in her 11th year was revealed.
That day, Ryu Hye-young lived with blackout curtains drawn throughout her home. She even opened the curtains slightly for her houseplant and said, "I'll let only you get some sun~"
When asked why she blocked out the sunlight, Ryu Hye-young said she had developed a fear after suddenly becoming widely popular through tvN's "Reply 1988."
She said, "When I suddenly received so much attention during 'Reply 1988,' I realized that even a single thing I said could have an impact," adding, "After that, I became cautious about meeting people and even about saying one thing."
She added, "I'm still quite timid, so because of my anxiety, I keep the curtains closed most of the time," drawing sympathy. Ryu Hye-young made a strong impression in the 2015 drama "Reply 1988" as Sung Bo-ra, the blunt and chic older sister of Lee Hye-ri's character.
Ryu Hye-young also opened a notebook and began writing in her diary. She explained, "I've been writing every day for about five years. I think I started because I was struggling emotionally. It was a period of such anxiety that I couldn't even sit still at home, but whenever I wrote something, I would sit quietly in my chair."
She added, "Acting is a profession where you have to wait. I think creating your own routine and living by it can help your mental health."
Ryu Hye-young also explained, "As short moments of understanding and comforting myself built up day by day, I think those moments helped me become someone who takes action. I think people each have their own timing. When I had no courage, no money, and no confidence, and was sinking into despair, I was washing up in the bathroom one day and looked in the mirror. There was a perfectly healthy woman standing in front of me. 'You're so pretty, healthy, and young, so what are you lacking? Why are you hiding? Go out there and live the way you want.' As those words I wanted to say to myself gradually piled up, I became a little less afraid of the world. So these days, I've become someone who says, 'Let's try it.'"
She also said, "For several years, Ra Mi-ran kept inviting me, but I was struggling emotionally, so I turned her down with a long text message. Even so, she kept contacting me and telling me to come out, and one day I finally felt ready and went. That was the beginning. Looking back after going through the time that suited me, I think I grew a lot."
When Kian84 asked, "Did the sudden attention from people feel overwhelming?" Ryu Hye-young calmly replied, "It was so frightening, and both good and bad attention came at the same time," adding, "I don't think I was ready. That just wasn't my time yet."
olzllovely@sportschosun.com
