Day6's Sungjin Opens Up About Mental Health Hiatus: "I Couldn't Breathe," Recalls Member Support

Day6 leader Sungjin has candidly revealed the reasons behind his temporary hiatus from group activities prior to a 2020 album release, citing severe mental health struggles.

Appearing on the variety show 'You Quiz on the Block' on Tuesday, the popular band Day6, celebrating their 10th anniversary, shared deeply personal stories with their fans.

Sungjin, who had paused his activities in May 2020 just before the release of their 6th mini-album due to psychological distress, explained, "I needed a break since the end of 2017. I felt like there was no time to rest, and I was enduring it all. During that period, I found it difficult to breathe. I didn't want to show it, so the time when I decided to take a break and focus on myself was when I halted my activities."

His bandmates offered unwavering support during this challenging time. Drummer Dowoon recalled telling Sungjin, "Recover and come back. It's okay if it takes 10 years," emphasizing their goal not to burden him. Keyboardist Wonpil added, "We tried to fill the void with unit activities, but it wasn't enough," highlighting the deep bond within the group.

As the band faced a period of military enlistments, Young K expressed his concerns, admitting, "I was most worried about Sungjin hyung. With everything piling up and then going to the military, I did have some anxiety. It would be a lie to say I didn't." Dowoon further shared his struggles, stating, "It was really hard for me. There was nothing I could do. Playing the drums didn't bring me joy anymore. It was just a small comfort, not fun. That's when I truly realized, 'I was happy because I played the drums for Day6,'" expressing his profound love for music and the band.

Sungjin is the leader and guitarist of the band Day6, which debuted on September 7, 2015.

He stepped away from activities in May 2020 due to mental health concerns but made a successful return after completing his mandatory military service, enlisting in March 2021 and being discharged in October 2022.

In 2024, Day6 is actively promoting and celebrating their 10th anniversary with their concert series titled 'Quyssey'.