Pianist Im Dong-hyeok posted writing that implied an extreme choice, prompting police to respond, and he is reported to be out of danger.
In the early hours of the 16th, Im Dong-hyeok posted several handwritten letters on his social media and confessed, "I have suffered from severe depression while living my life as a performer."
He said, "I certainly was not an angel, but this world was too harsh for me to live in," and revealed, "Since 2015 I have taken antidepressants every day without fail. Antidepressants themselves are not bad medicine and it is okay to take them for life, but I have continually suffered because of a chronic illness."
He also addressed past personal life controversies, saying, "I have had experiences with prostitution in my life, and that was something I did wrong," and adding, "My mind and body can no longer endure this, so I have decided to accept the first-instance verdict. I am sorry."
Finally he said, "Everything is my fault and my mistake. I have been happy and grateful thanks to all of you."
According to reports by Yonhap News and other outlets, the Seocho Police Station received a report saying "Im Dong-hyeok is a concern" at about 8:30 a.m. that day, responded, and rescued Im Dong-hyeok at a location in Seocho-dong, Seocho District.
Police transported Im Dong-hyeok to a nearby hospital, and he is reported to be out of danger.
Meanwhile, Im Dong-hyeok drew global attention by sweeping the world's three major competitions: the Queen Elizabeth Competition, the Chopin Competition and the Tchaikovsky Competition.
※ If you have difficult worries such as depression or know family members or acquaintances who are experiencing such hardships, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling through the suicide prevention hotline ☎109, mental health counseling ☎1577-0199, Hope Line ☎129, Lifeline ☎1588-9191, youth hotline ☎1388, the youth mobile counseling app "I'll listen to everything," KakaoTalk and other services.
[Photo] Im Dong-hyeok SNS
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