Lee Hyori says she went to see a mental health professional after she was accused of plagiarism.

On the July 2 episode of Hwashin (Strong Heart 2), a celebrity talk show on SBS, Lee Hyori opened up about her mental health issues and encouraged viewers to get regular checkups.

She explained that after she was accused of plagiarizing her album three years ago friend and fellow entertainer comedian Kim Je Dong suggested she see a psychiatrist.

"I drank alcohol every day, nervous that I would lose my popularity overnight and sad that I had been tricked," the veteran singer admitted. "I went to a mental health clinic when Kim Je Dong suggested I do so."

In a country where psychiatric health is not commonly discussed, having a well-known celebrity be so outspoken about her personal troubles is a rare insight into the struggles of life in the spotlight.

Hyori explained the process to the show's viewers saying, "For checkups, you don't need to receive counseling because it just takes a look at your mind from many different angles, using hundreds of questions, observations and drawings."

"I sometimes lied to save face," she admitted. "But they even knew I had lied for some questions. I was comfortable with it because it was just a checkup and not a counseling session."

On the episode, Lee Hyori also talked about what the doctors told her about her mental condition.

"I was really defiant toward higher-ups like broadcasting channel presidents and advertisers who could affect me a lot," she said. "The doctor picked that up."

"[The doctor] said, 'You are defiant toward those higher up than you, right?' and told me that was because my father had been strict toward me."

Speaking honestly and sincerely, Hyori also explained, "At one point I even suffered from sociophobia because I wanted to resist the public and how they could affect me with how interested they were in me."

In the end, however, Lee Hyori says that the doctors found her to be healthy and free of any mental problems. "I received the checkup because I was depressed, but they told me I was in good shape."

She said the experience overall was positive for her. "I found my confidence again when they told me I was born with strong a strong mentality. I felt I would be able to weather anything," Hyori explained.

In the end, the singer also suggested to fans that mental health is a serious matter and that regular checkups are good for overall well-being and happiness.