Hye Eun Yi keeps singing through 20 billion won debt for her children

Singer Hye Eun Yi has opened up about the desperate life hidden behind her glamorous stage presence. Appearing on MBN's 'Kim Ju-ha's Day and Night,' Hye Eun Yi revealed that she suffered through extreme pain due to panic disorder in the past. "During my painful times, panic disorder came with them. First of all, I couldn't sleep without taking medication," she recalled, reflecting on a period of endless suffering.

This psychological anxiety even led to extreme thoughts. Hye Eun Yi confessed that during her most difficult times, she was in such a desperate state that she always carried sleeping pills with her. What held her back from the edge of despair were her children. "If something happened to me, I didn't want my son and daughter to hear bad things about their mother from the people around them," she said, expressing her determination to endure for her children.

30 years carrying 20 billion won in debt, "I sang like my life depended on it"

Financial ruin also pushed her to the brink. Having acted as a guarantor during her ex-husband's business failure, Hye Eun Yi was left with a massive debt totaling approximately 20 billion won when her ex-husband lost the ability to repay it. On Channel A's 'Dr. Oh Eun-young's Golden Counseling Center,' she previously revealed that she could not turn a blind eye to her husband's difficulties as a spouse and took on that responsibility for the sake of her children.

When asked how she managed such a massive debt, Hye Eun Yi replied, "I sang like my life depended on it." It was an answer that encapsulated her grueling life over the past 30 years. During her appearance on 'Park Won-sook's Let's Live Together,' she mentioned, "I am still in the process of paying off the debt. I have cleared about 10 billion won myself," indicating that she is still moving forward through her life.

A 50-year connection with Jeon Young Rok, and the present

Hye Eun Yi's sense of responsibility began in her childhood. Influenced by her father, who was a leader of a traveling theater troupe, she took to the stage at the age of five and had to act as the breadwinner by the time she was in her second year of high school. During a time when only 300,000 won remained in the household due to her father's poor guarantees, she took responsibility for the family's livelihood.

Jeon Young Rok has been by her side through these life experiences. The two share a connection dating back to their parents' generation; because Jeon Young Rok's mother, Baek Seol-hee, and Hye Eun Yi's mother were close friends, they have been friends since infancy. It was only after Hye Eun Yi moved past her difficult times, stabilized her circumstances, and appeared on the variety show 'Let's Live Together' that she reconnected with Jeon Young Rok.

Celebrating her 51st anniversary since debut, Hye Eun Yi is currently performing in small theater shows in Daehak-ro, Seoul. The performances will continue until August 2.