Eric Nam Clarifies Panic Disorder Rumors: "I'm Doing Well Now" [Q&A]

"I held onto these songs by myself for a long time," Eric Nam said. "So letting people hear them feels a bit like letting them read my diary."

The singer and actor released his fourth full-length album, "Confessions of a Lonely Heart," on Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. KST. His first full-length album in about three years, the nine-track record explores his experiences with relationships and emotions over the past few years.

Nam has also expanded his career beyond music into television and film. He recently signed an exclusive contract with entertainment agency all my anecdotes, with plans to increase his activities in South Korea.

In a written Q&A, Nam discussed the stories behind the album, his creative process and his future plans.

"I'm excited, and I'm nervous too," he said. "A lot has happened since my last album, and these nine songs hold different pieces of that time. These songs started from my own personal feelings. I hope they can mean something in someone else's life too."

Over the past few years, Nam has toured and participated in film and television projects across different countries and creative environments.

"Those experiences helped me grow," he said. "At the same time, I came to understand what keeps me grounded. I live a life I'm grateful for, but I can still feel lonely, stressed or uncertain. Once I accepted that as natural, I felt much more at ease."

Nam also clarified previous reports about his mental health. He said he had discussed experiencing a panic attack on a YouTube show, but some media reports had given the impression that he had panic disorder.

"That's not what I meant," he said. "I'm doing well now."

Nam said the album explores loneliness in an age when people are more connected online than ever.

"There are more ways to communicate now, but it's still hard to tell someone how you actually feel," he said. "The 'confessions' are the words we keep inside. Things like, 'I miss you,' 'I need someone,' 'I'm afraid of getting hurt' or 'I want to fall in love again.'"

He wanted to explore the different sides of loneliness, including the clarity and self-understanding that can emerge from it.

"There's sadness and longing, but you can also find clarity, feel a sense of freedom and understand yourself better," he said. "The album captures all of those feelings and ultimately moves toward hope. Loneliness is something everyone experiences, and I wanted to show that genuine connection can begin when you realize you're not alone."

Nam said many of the songs began during quiet moments alone on planes, in taxis or in hotel rooms.

"There were times I looked at a beautiful place and wished someone I loved could be there with me," he said. "I kept going back and forth between wanting to connect with someone and wanting to protect myself from getting hurt. Sometimes the walls you build to keep yourself safe end up making you lonely."

The album draws on his experiences with romantic relationships, friendships and professional relationships. Some songs came from memories, while others were inspired by observing people around him or imagining experiences he hopes to have in the future.

Compared with his third full-length album, "House on a Hill," Nam described the new record as more intimate and personal.

"'House on a Hill' asked questions about happiness, success and the things we chase throughout our lives," he said. "This album is much more intimate. It's about what happens in quiet moments, who you miss, what you're afraid to admit and whether you're ready to open your heart again."

"Honesty and vulnerability have always been part of my music, but this album especially feels like I'm revealing myself," he added. "That's why I thought the word 'confessions' fit so well."

He also sought to combine memorable melodies and emotionally expressive vocals with humor, vulnerability and hope.

The title track, "Psycho," explores the point at which intense attraction begins to turn into obsession.

"Someone takes up so much space in your head that you stop acting like yourself and feel like you're going a little crazy," Nam said. "The song shows how irrational you can become when you fall in love. I think there's something funny about it, but it's also very human."

Inspired by 1980s pop, the song pairs an energetic sound with lyrics about intense emotions.

"There's longing, intensity and wit all in there," he said.

The song's cinematic sound also influenced its music video.

"It gave me a lot of inspiration," Nam said. "We included homages to classic films and had fun portraying some of the slightly 'crazy things' people do for love."

During the songwriting and production process, Nam focused on expressing emotions in specific ways while creating songs that suited his voice.

"I wanted melodies that would stay with people for a long time," he said. "I also wanted lyrics that sounded like things you think to yourself but can't bring yourself to say out loud. At the same time, I wanted to leave room for people to enjoy listening to the music."

Beyond his music career, Nam has been active in television, fashion and film. He said exploring different fields has helped him grow as an artist.

"Music has felt like home to me for a long time," he said. "Acting and television give me opportunities to learn new skills and show different sides of myself. It also means a lot to work in fields where Asian people and Asian stories still don't receive enough attention. Working across different areas has given me greater confidence in my identity and what I can bring to the stage."

Nam also discussed his upcoming acting projects. Several independent films in which he appears are preparing for theatrical releases and film festival submissions. He also has a role in "K-POP: The Debut," a film produced by Paramount and HYBE America.

"I was happy to work with such great actors as Yoo Ji-tae, Kang So-ra, Ji-young Yoo and Yim Si-wan," he said. "The music is great, and filming was a lot of fun."

Nam plans to continue releasing music and performing while pursuing opportunities in other fields. He also hopes to embark on a world tour in 2027 to perform songs from his new album for international audiences.

As for what he hopes listeners will take away from the album, Nam said he wants them to find songs that express feelings they have struggled to put into words.

"I hope there's a song that keeps someone company on a lonely night, helps them get through a breakup or gives them hope that they can fall in love again," he said.

"Thank you to everyone who waited so long. Thank you for giving me the time and space to make music I truly believe in. I will never take your patience and support for granted. These songs have been with me through so many moments in my life, and I hope they can now be that for you. I hope this album makes you feel a little more cared for and a little less alone."