Kwon Jin-ah Reveals Anorexia, Self-Hatred: 'I Thought I Was a Monster'

South Korean singer-songwriter Kwon Jin-ah (권진아) first gained recognition in 2013, placing third on SBS's audition program K-pop Star Season 3. She officially debuted in 2016 with her first full-length album, Laughing Night (웃긴 밤). Known for her warm and comforting voice, Kwon has lent her vocals to numerous popular K-drama original soundtracks (OSTs), including "I Only See You" from You're All Surrounded, "Shall We Date?" from Jealousy Incarnate, "Lonely Night" from Hospital Playlist, and "Gyeo Eum Jae" from Payback.

Kwon recently revealed her long-standing battle with appearance anxiety and self-hatred, admitting she once felt like a "monster" and developed anorexia due to the entertainment industry's pressure on body image. Her candid confession about this previously untold dark period has garnered much sympathy from fans.

On November 28, Kwon appeared on SBS Power FM's radio show Cultwo Show to promote her third mini-album, SAVE ME, released on November 15, and shared the creative stories behind the new album.

Known for her balladry, Kwon boldly ventured into rock music for this album. She stated, "Many people think of me as a ballad singer, but this time I prepared a rock album," signaling a distinct shift in her musical style.

Kwon, who wrote and composed all five tracks on the album, disclosed that the title track, "MONSTER," directly addresses her past struggles with self-hatred. She explained, "There was a period when I truly disliked myself intensely, so I wrote that experience into this song."

Reflecting on that low point, she confessed, "I used to feel like a monster, and that feeling still surfaces occasionally. At the time, I didn't like my face, felt insecure about gaining weight, disliked my voice, and even thought I wasn't a good singer." Her heartfelt revelation resonated with many listeners.