Anxious Rocker Who Received Counseling: 'I Came Because I Felt Frustrated' [Seomeedeum's Book Talk]

Irregular Lifestyle Causes Anxiety and Insomnia
Obsessive Pressure to Perform Well in Shows
Professor Han Deokhyun Overcomes Through Psychological Counseling
Compiles Counseling Records into a Book
"No Better Supporter Than an Expert with Knowledge and Listening Attitude"

Sungwoo Lee. Photo by Rockstar Music & Live

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] There is a rare individual in Korea who has been active as a band member for 26 years. The protagonist is Lee Seong-woo, the main vocalist of the rock band ‘Nobrain’. Once known for his yellow rooster comb hairstyle that rocked the stage, he has now turned forty-six. Approaching the age of wisdom, he still soars freely on stage. Calling himself a "crazy person who breaks the existing mold," he spares no effort as long as he can have fun on stage.

Curious about why this free-spirited person sought a specialist for anxiety disorder and insomnia, the person who helped him was Professor Han Deok-hyun of the Department of Psychiatry at Chung-Ang University. As a sports psychiatrist who provided psychological consultation and counseling for baseball players, he was introduced through player Hwang Jae-gyun (KT Wiz).

Professor Han Deok-hyun. Photo by Hanbit Biz

After meeting Professor Han, Lee Seong-woo escaped the anxiety that made him unable to hear the encouraging words of his family and friends. Based on that experience, he published the book “I Came Because I Was Frustrated” (Hanbit Biz). Feeling that the experience was too valuable to keep to himself and wanting to share it, he organized his counseling records into a book. On the 4th, we met with Professor Han and Lee Seong-woo to hear the story behind the book’s publication.

Irregular lifestyle-induced insomnia and the obsession with performing well were Lee Seong-woo’s concerns. The compulsion to sleep well and not to make mistakes in lyrics weighed heavily on his life. This was why he suffered from nightmares of singing unknown songs on stage.

Considering Lee Seong-woo’s bold stage image, this is an unexpected side. Professor Han explains this irony as a "characteristic of anxiety." He said, "Among athletes, the group that experiences the most anxiety and panic disorders is American football players. Anxiety arises when facing unpredictable fearful moments, and it does not go in the direction you expect. It often appears in unexpected people as well."

In psychological counseling, building rapport (the degree of trust in the doctor-patient relationship) is important, and fortunately, Lee Seong-woo saw immediate effects.

At Professor Han’s advice, "If people want to hear a perfect song, they listen to a CD. Why go to a concert? People just want to see Seong-woo’s passionate performance. Burn yourself out giving your best every moment," Lee Seong-woo snapped his fingers in agreement.

The counseling was lighthearted, consisting of casual conversations. Professor Han said, "Many people think psychiatric counseling is about confessing faults to an authority and being scolded, but that’s not the case. As mentioned in the book, it’s about exchanging comfortable stories and encouraging courage as much as possible."

Lee Seong-woo said, "I think worries arise from not expressing them. I hope people won’t fear counseling." Professor Han emphasizes that for mental health, it is important to find someone who gives good feedback. Most mental illnesses arise when outward-directed aggression fails to find a target and turns into self-directed resentment. "Finding someone to satisfy the need for recognition is key," he stressed. If there is no suitable person nearby, it is also good to visit a psychological counselor or psychiatrist. "There is no better supporter than an expert with knowledge and a listening attitude."

If you have found good habits or discarded bad ones, maintaining them is also important. Professor Han explained, "It is good to set intermediate and execution goals between the final goal. Rewarding yourself each time you achieve a small goal is an effective method." This is a method widely used by professional athletes. They find consolation by buying desired items or eating expensive meals.

The two authors were concerned that this book might be classified as a typical self-help book. They emphasized, "This is not the kind of story that says ‘If you do this, you will live well and become strong.’ We want to convey the message that many people share your worries and that counseling can help you improve significantly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.