Rosé, a member of the South Korean girl group BLACKPINK, shared her personal experiences with mental health issues at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, attended by the spouses of various national leaders. She emphasized the importance of openly discussing mental health issues, particularly during challenging times.
Kim Geun-hee, the wife of South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol, attended the APEC Spouses’ Program on the 18th (local time) at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California.
The event, organized by U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, the host of the APEC summit, aimed to raise awareness about the seriousness of mental health issues. Attendees included the spouses of the leaders from Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines, as well as Apple CEO Tim Cook.
At the event, First Lady Biden emphasized, “While modern technology has facilitated communication between people, we now need to focus on mental health, addressing feelings of isolation and anxiety.”
Meanwhile, Rosé also attended the event at the invitation of First Lady Biden, drawing significant attention. The First Lady introduced Rosé as a “global superstar who uses her influence for good in the world.”
Rosé openly discussed her experiences with mental health. She said, “The journey to becoming a successful singer was not easy, and I still face challenges from time to time. However, I’ve realized the importance of valuing myself. I hope my music can inspire and comfort many people.”
She added, “Many people feel vulnerable when they receive attention and criticism on social media. No matter how hard I try, there will always be someone who has their own opinion or enjoys talking about me.”
She continued, “No matter how difficult it may be, it’s important to have honest conversations about these issues. Just as we eat food to maintain our physical health, we must also take care of our mental health.”
First Lady Biden said, “We often hide and ignore these mental health issues, but we need to expose them and talk about them openly to start the healing process. I’m grateful to Rosé for bravely sharing her story with a desire to help others and raise her voice for mental health issues.” She also expressed her gratitude to Kim Geun-hee for her support.
In response, Kim Geun-hee said, “The global influence of K-pop and Korean culture, including BLACKPINK, is remarkable. I look forward to their continued impact through music and positive messages.”
Reporter Seungwoo Choi loonytuna@asiae.co.kr
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