Cha Jiyeon: The stage helped me endure hardship and depression

Musical actress Cha Jiyeon offered sincere comfort as she opened up about childhood wounds and deep depression she had previously kept to herself.

On the episode of MBC's 'Songs That Survived Today - Playlist 109' aired on the 4th, Cha revealed the 'survival song' that helped her endure life while calmly sharing her past pain.

During the broadcast, Cha reflected on growing up amidst an unstable home environment and financial hardship, confessing that those experiences left her with long-lasting depression. While she found it difficult to speak of these emotions to others, she revealed that she could pour out all her sadness and pain whenever she stood on stage.

The song she chose as the one that sustained her was 'As You Live' from the musical 'Sopyonje' OST.

"The lyrics 'As you live, it disappears' resonate with me in two ways," Cha explained. "It means 'as you live, you eventually find a way to survive,' and it also means that current pain will gradually fade as time passes."

She then offered cautious words of encouragement to those currently going through difficult times.

"I don't feel I can easily say 'cheer up' or 'it will be okay," she said calmly. "I hope you don't try too hard to force yourself to be strong. Somehow, those times pass. I just hope you can endure them.""

Her brief but sincere message left a deep impression on viewers.

Also appearing in the broadcast was the 'Hungry Unit,' a group of child participants. The children candidly shared their worries and introduced their own 'survival songs.'

In particular, Hansol Jung, who appeared in the film 'The King's Warden,' gave adults food for thought, stating, "I am not happy when I study. I want to be a happy person rather than a great person.""

Psychiatrist Lee Kwang-min also provided practical advice regarding panic and anxiety. He explained that rather than trying to suppress panic symptoms through willpower alone, it is important to understand one's condition and regulate breathing. He introduced 'Bus Stop' as the song that helped him endure.

Recalling his late grandmother through tears, he said, "Don't leave the memory of loss as only pain; it is also necessary to go through the process of remembering the warm moments you shared together.""

'Playlist 109' is a music project that builds a collection of 109 songs through 'survival songs' and the stories of people who relied on them to endure life's most difficult moments.

In the next broadcast, actor Cha In-pyo and an unrevealed special guest are scheduled to appear to share more stories of life and comfort.