Everyone, at some point, faces a slump due to various reasons such as underperformance, lethargy, or burnout. Even the dazzling stars we see on stage have faced their own periods of downturn.

On August 21, AKMU released a new single album after a two-year hiatus. Member Lee Suhyun had previously confessed that she considered retiring due to a slump two years ago. Suhyun is still navigating through her slump, but with the support of her brother, Lee Chanhyuk, she chose to confront it through music.

During a press conference on the album release day, Suhyun shared, "I thought it would be good to be somewhat honest about this since many would ask during our promotions. I'm still in the process of overcoming it. I'm continuously trying." She added, "My brother has been constantly supporting and helping me. Through this album, I hope to rediscover the joy in music. I released this album with the hope of receiving positive energy."

In a recent episode of JTBC's 'Newsroom', Suhyun expressed her gratitude towards Chanhyuk, saying, "He gave me a lot of courage. He said he'd make music that I'd enjoy and hoped I'd find joy in our activities."

Jang Yoon-jung, often referred to as the 'Queen of Trot', also experienced a slump. On a TV show, she revealed, "There was a time when I couldn't sing. After giving birth to my daughter Hayoung, my abdominal muscles didn't recover, and I couldn't hit the notes I wanted."

However, Jang Yoon-jung overcame her vocal issues through exercise. She shared, "I did abdominal exercises for a month just to sing. Before concerts, while others warm up their voices, I do squats. It gives me strength when I sing."

Shinji, a member of Koyote who has been active for 24 years, also faced a slump. On a show, she said, "I felt like everything was falling apart." Shinji, who debuted at 18, drew strength from Kim Jong-min, her bandmate who was like an older brother. Recalling that time, Kim Jong-min said, "She was just a student who suddenly became a star. When she hit a slump, she didn't know how to handle it."

Shinji, who had vocal nodules in the past, also suffered from stage fright. She confessed, "I felt left alone in the world. I couldn't even enter the waiting room and stayed in the car, speaking less." She continued, "For three months, I didn't leave my house. I cried every day without turning on the lights. I became a singer because I loved singing, but I felt pathetic trembling while singing." Shinji overcame her slump by reflecting on herself, saying, "I watched my early performances and wanted to return to those confident and happy days."

Whether it's continuing what they've always done, drawing strength from the support around them, or self-reflection, each artist has their own way of overcoming slumps. The resilience of these singers, who have faced and conquered their challenges, is truly heartwarming.

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