Renowned webtoon artist and television personality Kian84 has revealed that running played a crucial role in helping him overcome severe alcohol dependency and panic disorder. The creator made these candid revelations during a recent appearance on rapper Sean's YouTube channel, where he participated in a running session while discussing his personal struggles and journey to recovery.
Kian84 explained that his mental health challenges began around age 31, coinciding with the start of his webtoon series "Bokhakwang." During this period, he experienced debilitating panic attacks that significantly impacted his daily life. Despite seeking professional help, traditional medical treatment and counseling sessions provided little relief for his condition.
"Doctors all told me the same thing: exercise," Kian84 shared, explaining his motivation for turning to running as a form of therapy. Three years ago, he participated in a marathon event at Daecheong Lake, located west of Daejeon, which marked the beginning of his regular running routine. He emphasized how his sedentary work lifestyle as a webtoon creator made physical activity essential for his wellbeing.
"Because my work keeps me at a computer all day, I felt like I would die if I didn't do something. Running is something I can do quickly, so I made it a habit to run 5 to 7 kilometers," he explained during the YouTube interview. This consistent exercise routine became a cornerstone of his recovery process and lifestyle transformation.
Before discovering running, Kian84 struggled with what he described as severe alcohol dependency. His drinking habits had reached dangerous levels, affecting both his physical and mental health. "Even when my body hurt, I drank. I couldn't sleep without it. I used to drink half a bottle of whiskey at a time, three bottles a week. It was almost an addiction," he candidly admitted.
The webtoon artist described how his alcohol use had created a destructive pattern in his life. He found himself trapped in what he called a "vicious cycle" - getting drunk to cope with his problems, suffering from hangovers and physical pain the following day, only to repeat the same destructive behavior that evening to escape his discomfort.
Running fundamentally changed this destructive pattern and provided him with a healthier coping mechanism. "As I built up my mileage, my drinking decreased. The morning pain disappeared, and I lost about 7 kilograms," Kian84 reported, highlighting the multiple benefits he experienced from his new exercise routine.
Perhaps most significantly, Kian84 described a fundamental shift in how he experiences pleasure and satisfaction in life. He explained that his source of dopamine and happiness had completely transformed through running. "I used to get dopamine only from drinking. Now running raises my life satisfaction. If my satisfaction used to be 60 out of 100, now it's 80," he shared, quantifying the improvement in his overall quality of life.
Looking toward the future, Kian84 expressed his commitment to maintaining his running routine as a permanent lifestyle change. He plans to continue running at least two to three times per week, viewing it as essential to his ongoing mental and physical health. "I used to think a darker side was necessary for a cartoonist, so I tolerated drinking and smoking. But when I felt like I might die, I decided I want to live healthily. I think I'll run for the rest of my life," he concluded, demonstrating his dedication to his recovery and healthier lifestyle choices.
