Attendance of Kim Geon-hee at APEC Spouse Program
"Honest Conversations Are Important for Mental Health"
BLACKPINK member Ros? shared her personal experiences with the spouses of leaders attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Ros? spoke candidly about mental health issues, emphasizing the importance of openly discussing times when one feels mentally challenged.
First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, attended the APEC spouses' program held on the 18th (local time) at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, San Francisco, California.
This event was organized by First Lady Jill Biden of the United States, the host country of the APEC summit, for the spouses of participating leaders to raise awareness and call for attention to the seriousness of mental health issues. Attendees included First Ladies from Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, as well as Apple CEO Tim Cook, among others.
At the event, First Lady Biden emphasized, “While modern technology has made communication between people easier, we now need to also focus on mental well-being to combat isolation and anxiety.”
Meanwhile, Ros? attracted attention by attending the event at the invitation of First Lady Biden. Biden introduced Ros? as “a global superstar who uses her position as a force for good in the world.”
Ros? opened up about her experiences related to mental health. She said, “The journey to success as a singer was not easy, and even now I face difficulties at times, but I have realized the importance of valuing oneself. I hope my music can inspire and comfort many people.”
She also shared, “Many people feel vulnerable when others show interest in them on social media, especially when they are criticized. No matter how hard I work, there will always be someone with their own opinions or someone who enjoys talking about me.”
She continued, “No matter how hard it gets, it is important to have honest conversations about these things. Just as we eat to maintain physical health, we must also take care of our mental health to sustain it.”
First Lady Biden said, “We often hide and ignore these mental health issues, but by revealing and speaking openly about them, healing can begin. I am grateful to Ros? for bravely sharing her story with the hope of raising her voice actively to address mental health issues and help others.” She added, “I also want to express my gratitude to First Lady Kim Keon-hee for supporting my efforts.”
In response, First Lady Kim said, “The global influence of K-pop and Korean culture, including BLACKPINK, is tremendous. I look forward to them continuing to deliver moving messages through music and positivity.”
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