EXO's Baekhyun Opens Up About His Struggle With Vulnerability And The Importance Of Being Honest With Yourself

In this month’s Kyoongtube, EXO‘s Baekhyun read part of the book I’ve Decided To Be Me to EXO-Ls. Baekhyun not only imparted the author’s wisdom, but he also shared his own experiences and how he related to the passages. His vulnerability reflects Baekhyun’s consistently honest interactions with his fans and is a source of encouragement for anyone going through similar struggles.

The second chapter Baekhyun reads is titled “Say You’re Tired When You Are.” Just upon reading the title, Baekhyun instantly agreed with the statement and said it was an important message for anyone to hear.

| EXO/YouTube

It’s a piece of wisdom he struggled with during his debut days because when Baekhyun was a rookie, he found it hard to admit when he was tired.

For many idols, the desperation to succeed and have a realistic chance at living out your dreams seems worth risking everything for, even personal health. With the way the K-Pop industry is, the competition causes many idols to fall into the same mind trap – if you don’t work hard enough, someone else will take your place, and you’ll become nothing.

Looking back, he realized that while he wouldn’t have been able to take away his tiredness at that time, if he had opened up about his exhaustion to another person and just heard the words, “It’s alright,” he would’ve gained a lot more strength to endure.

Baekhyun now freely expresses his tiredness, whether to relieve tension and raise spirits or to show his honest emotions. Baekhyun does so because he’s realized that if he keeps denying his exhaustion, he will end up hating what he loves.

Since he loves what he does, being tired is a small sacrifice that doesn’t become a heavy burden as long as he admits to it. However, Baekhyun shares that extreme tiredness isn’t healthy or something to carry alone.

The author of I’ve Decided To Be Me states that “an unbearable sacrifice is only self-abuse,” so being honest and allowing yourself to lean on others is, in fact, loving yourself. Just because you can’t take it anymore doesn’t mean you’re weak; it just means that the burden is too big to handle on you’re own.

Baekhyun follows up once last time with his own advice, and his words are a source of comfort anyone can lean on when they’re struggling on their own.