Nam Gyu-ri opens up about past struggles and why her current self is her 'prime'

Singer Nam Gyu-ri has confessed that she loves her current self most, after navigating a long period of misunderstandings and silence. Following SeeYa's 20th anniversary concert, she candidly shared the hardships hidden behind her glamorous public image.

"My pretty face became a wall"... The reason she was called 'Gamani'

Nam revealed the psychological pressure she faced during her early career. She explained that she began to hold back her words because her sincerity was often distorted by negative perceptions of her appearance or provocative headlines, despite having done nothing wrong. "There were many groundless comments, like 'she's just acting pretty' or 'she has princess syndrome,'" she said. "After experiencing my true intentions being twisted, I began to hold back my words, which is how I earned the nickname 'Gamani' [meaning someone who stays quiet/still]."

Reflecting on the trial and error of those years, she added that she once tried to change herself to meet public expectations, but ultimately realized it was a necessary process to find her own path.

"Now is my prime"... Facing the present after a hiatus

While the Nam Gyu-ri of the past shone with innocence, she now treasures her present self for having a deeper understanding of the world. "The 'prime' people often refer to was likely during my SeeYa days," she noted, "but the prime I think of is now. I feel my current self is the most beautiful." She explained, "When I was young, there was a pure innocence of simply not knowing, but now, even after knowing the world, I have a sense of inner peace that makes this my true prime."

She also touched upon her long hiatus and past struggles with stage fright. Recalling how she used to tremble severely in recording studios and on stage, she shared that her recent activities have helped her transform. "I am simply living through the time I have been given," she said, expressing gratitude that her current work has pulled her back into the spotlight.

"It's hard, but I am grateful"... A confession from the stage

Sharing her thoughts immediately after SeeYa's 20th anniversary concert, Nam mentioned gaining newfound composure on stage. "Because I love my fans, even if I make a mistake, I want to try again; it actually gives me strength and joy," she said. Regarding the physical toll of performing, she was candid: "When I sing, I use my core so much that it feels like my body is crushing, and I sometimes have to wrap myself in bandages every day."

Despite the physical strain, Nam expressed profound gratitude for her current career. "There are times when I think, 'It's too hard, it hurts too much, I feel like I'm going to die,' but at the same time, I always find myself saying how grateful I am," she revealed. "I am performing while contemplating how I can live to repay this gratitude."