Taeyang and Somi share how they cope with their mental health and pressure of being a music artist

“Being an artist, sharing and talking about various challenges in my life might seem like the easiest thing to do in some ways, but it's also one of the most difficult tasks as well,” muses Korean star Taeyang.

“As a musician and artist, I think it's somewhat easier for me because I'm someone who expresses the thoughts I've felt within the various difficulties I've experienced in my own way so that people can empathise with them for a living. On the other hand, as a well-known artist, sharing the intricate details of my personal life and its various difficulties can be challenging, and I don't necessarily think that such an approach is always the best way to go.” 

Korean idol Somi, formerly of K-pop girl group I.O.I, concurs, noting that, “Due to my profession, I’m constantly on media and online. That’s why sometimes I feel like an on/off switch doesn’t exist for me. It’s not a perfect balance yet, but my way of creating balance is to either cook at home, go for a walk, take a short vacation, or to exercise making sure I have enough time for myself.”

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The stars are opening up about their respective experiences in the entertainment industry as part of Lululemon’s latest wellbeing campaign – both Taeyang and Somi have been tapped by the brand to front its Find Your Wellbeing campaign series, which launched last week in Seoul, South Korea. The campaign comes amid the release of the brand’s third annual Global Wellbeing Report, which surveyed more than 14,000 people from 14 regions, including Singapore, China, Hong Kong, the United States and the United Kingdom, and hopes to address obstacles revealed in it. 

The renowned performers’ involvement in the campaign reflects Lululemon’s commitment to raising awareness and challenging the stereotypes surrounding mental health, particularly among younger generations. They aim to initiate a broader dialogue on the significance of mental health and its impact on emotional and physical resilience.

The campaign’s kickoff involved a four-day pop-up event in Seoul, where Taeyang and Somi took part in a panel discussion and shared their personal perspectives on well-being as well as how they manage to stay authentic in their creative disciplines.

By having well-known figures like Taeyang and Somi speak about well-being, Lululemon aspires to normalise conversations about mental health. This is especially crucial in the Asia-Pacific region, where societal expectations can often make it challenging for men and Gen Z individuals to openly discuss their mental well-being. According to Lululemon's Global Wellbeing Report, 47 percent of men in the Asia-Pacific region express difficulty in speaking about their mental health, while 61 percent of Gen Z yearns for a more open environment where they can freely express their emotions.

A second panel discussion was held with YouTuber and Lululemon ambassador WePark and psychiatrist Dr Oh Jin-Sung, where they discussed the significance of maintaining mental health and the strategies required to cultivate resilience. They candidly addressed the multifaceted challenges inherent in the quest for a well-rounded state of well-being, emphasising the need for holistic approaches to address both mental and physical aspects of health.

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Red Velvet's Yeri

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Koen Setsuwan and Thanaerng

The event was also attended by other celebrities and influencers from the region, such as K-pop girl group Red Velvet’s Yeri, Thai singer-actress Thanaerng Kanyawee Songmuang, Japanese actress Aya Asahina from sci-fi thriller series Alice In Borderland, and Malaysian content creator Jenn Chia. Attendees were treated to an immersive experience designed to carve out personal space and promote moments of mindfulness, encouraging them to nurture both their bodies and minds while fostering connections with others.

Gareth Pope, senior vice-president of Lululemon, Asia Pacific, emphasised that the event and the broader campaign are focused on helping individuals, regardless of age or background, discover the path to well-being. The goal is to offer tools, events, and experiences, along with the voices of influential changemakers who can candidly share their struggles and insights. “[Ultimately], the aim is to normalise conversations about how you seek your own wellbeing through the voice and inspiration of people around you,” he says. 

Following the four-day event in Seoul, Lululemon is set to host a series of events across the Asia-Pacific region, including community fitness sessions, interactive pop-up activities, and more.

Here, Taeyang and Somi provide further insights into how they navigate high-pressure situations, engage in activities to clear their minds, and support their mental well-being. They also offer valuable advice on how to remain authentic and be themselves when interacting with others.

As an artist do you experience high expectations and pressure at times? How do you overcome the hard times that you experienced during your journey?

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Somi: I've always lived under pressure. The most challenging period during my journey as an artist was when I lacked self-confidence and tried to conform to others' perspectives. I spent a year solely dedicated to myself while preparing an album, and during that time, I first started to listen to myself and discovered a new me.

Taeyang: It might be a lie to say that I don't feel high expectations and pressure in my current position and role. Looking back, these expectations and pressures have sometimes had a positive effect in pushing me to exceed my limits, but at other times, they have pushed me in a negative direction, leading to feelings of frustration. Perhaps these processes continue to repeat because I don't want to choose the easy path.

It seems that's why challenging times seem to persist both in the past and now in my life. What has allowed me to overcome such difficult times, above all, is the help of many people who support me as if it were their own business, sharing the weight of expectations and pressures that pull me down.

Somi, you have a 4th-degree black belt in taekwondo. What self-discipline mindset or practice has this martial art ingrained into you?

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Somi: A lot of concentration and agility is required to switch between using your hands and feet to execute movements in a short span of time. The wisdom I've gained through training is the importance of repetitive practice and patience. The process of balancing explosive power and repeating it is quite a handful, and having mastered it, I have patience for every aspect in my daily life.

Taeyang, what kind of activities do you do to clear your mind and support your mental well being?

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Taeyang: Most of the time I go for a walk. I like to take walks to organise my thoughts and feelings so much that if I could, I would spend all my spare time walking. As I go for a walk, I can feel the changing of seasons. When I see the diverse skies and landscapes that become colourful due to such changes, it feels like my complicated and confused thoughts gradually empty out and become organised, one by one.

Walking and having conversations with like-minded people is even better. Then, when I take the time to write down those organised thoughts in sentences as I conclude the day, I feel that the organised thoughts become truly mine. I get to know myself a little better than before.

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To start off, it’s important to organise one's schedule in the most efficient and productive way possible. This is crucial because it directly relates to my overall well-being. However, when dealing with extremely busy schedules, I try to find ways to make the most out of my available time and environment.

Because, in any given situation, we are presented with choices that we can choose from. For example, if I have a little bit of free time within a busy schedule, I try to utilize that time for a brief workout. If the time doesn’t allow for that, I try to take a walk near my surroundings. In situations where even that isn't possible, I try to make healthy food choices within the constraints of the time I have and the environment I am in. And in cases where even this time is really limited, I try not to waste it unnecessarily and may even opt for a power nap to help regulate both my mind and body.

Do you have any advice on how to stay true to yourself and live as your authentic self and be yourself around others?

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Taeyang: To genuinely express one's true self in front of others, it's crucial to first approach oneself with honesty above all else. Facing yourself with honesty requires greater courage than anything else, and I believe that by acknowledging and accepting yourself fully through such courage, it will help you confidently exhibit this true self of yours in front of anyone.

Somi: Society can be cruel at times. That's why it seems to take time to show one's true self. So, I focus on the on/off switch and believe that I need to become someone who can slowly live as my authentic self, starting from the off mode.

What’s upcoming for you both? Any exciting projects coming up that you can share with us?

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Taeyang: As always, I’ve been continuing to create new music. When the time comes, I will be making a new appearance with new music. I'm also in discussions of planning possible performances and tours that my fans desire the most. But I think the most exciting project for me right now is the one I'm having with Lululemon currently, time spent in talking and sharing about wellness.

Somi: Seems like there will be more opportunities to meet my international fans. Although my company is not aware yet, I already have the next song I want to release in my mind. I'll work on preparing it slowly but efficiently!