Tony An recently opened up about his past struggles with severe depression and social anxiety, revealing a challenging journey of addiction.
In a candid interview on the YouTube channel "Newly Arrive CBS," he shared his experiences from debuting with H.O.T to navigating life as a businessman post-disbandment. An expressed feelings of low self-esteem during his time in the group, believing he was achieving success despite lacking true talent. After the disbandment, he faced fears of going solo, which drove him to leverage his communication skills to start a business.
Despite early successes in the entertainment field, An admitted that his life began to unravel, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness, even among close friends. He recounted how he struggled with debilitating headaches and eventually sought psychiatric help, where he was diagnosed with multiple mental health issues. This period of despair caused him to contemplate his existence, noting he wanted to avoid an unglamorous end as a celebrity.
An's journey included frightening incidents, including a near-fatal accident linked to his prescription drug use mixed with alcohol, which shockingly resulted in him losing significant hair. Following this, a book from a fan sparked hope in him, prompting a yearning for change and a military enlistment for personal redemption.