Lee So-ra confessed to experiencing depression and health deterioration during her hiatus. She revealed that she had a very difficult time, barely leaving her home, and that her weight had increased to 100 kg at that time.

On the 15th, Lee So-ra appeared on the YouTube channel "Fairy Jaehyung" and talked about her break from activities and the reason for her comeback. Jung Jaehyung shared an anecdote about inviting Lee So-ra to participate in the OST work for the JTBC drama "Not a Hero" in the past. He said, "At that time, I often heard from people around me that 'Lee So-ra hardly goes outside these days,' so I thought it would be difficult for her to participate."

Lee So-ra recalled the situation at that time, saying, "It was a period when I did nothing and just lay at home. I was in a very depressed state." She explained about the music Jung Jaehyung made, saying, "I felt like light was coming in, so I said I would write the lyrics myself and sing."

Lee So-ra revealed that she hardly went outside. She said, "I took the apartment elevator down about once a year," and "I only went out on days when I had a performance." A vocal cord injury also affected her hiatus. Lee So-ra said, "I was very troubled because I wasn't sure if I could continue singing after injuring my throat." Nevertheless, she added, "Although I wasn't sure if it would become a song, I really wanted to do that piece," explaining why she participated in the OST.

She also confessed that her health condition was not good. She said, "At that time, my weight increased to about 100 kg, and when the hospital measured my blood pressure, it was over 190," adding, "I was so short of breath that walking was difficult. I lost a lot of weight over a year."

She said the recording process was not easy either. Lee So-ra said, "My vocal cords were not in good condition, so I couldn't sing for a long time at once," and "I recorded for about an hour in a small studio near my home, and that one recording became the song as it was." Jung Jaehyung welcomed the return of his longtime colleague. He said, "I was glad just to know that Lee So-ra was singing again," and "Even during the recording, it felt meaningful that she had started moving again."

Experts advised that if depressive moods persist for more than two weeks, it is necessary to suspect the possibility of depression. Depression can lead to physical symptoms beyond simple mood decline, such as changes in appetite, weight loss or gain, and insomnia. Symptoms such as slowed thinking or speech, sluggish physical movements, and decreased concentration, judgment, and memory are also typical signs.

Experts explained that managing daily lifestyle habits can help prevent depression. It is advisable to maintain social relationships by regularly interacting with family and friends and to avoid alcohol, smoking, and narcotic drugs. Eating a balanced diet focused on fruits and vegetables and maintaining a regular lifestyle are also important. Light exercise and exposure to sunlight can have positive effects on mental health. Experts say that consistently engaging in about 30 minutes of light physical activity daily is helpful.

If depressive symptoms persist, it is recommended to visit a hospital for professional treatment. Medication and psychotherapy are representative treatment methods, and in relatively mild cases, psychotherapy alone can lead to improvement. Research has also shown that regular exercise helps reduce the risk of depressive symptoms. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's National Institute of Health published a study in a professional academic journal analyzing the relationship between exercise and the risk of depressive symptoms in 19,112 adults aged 40 to 82 who participated in the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study.

According to the study, people who exercised had a significantly lower risk of experiencing depressive symptoms compared to those who did not exercise at all. Although there were differences depending on the type of exercise, an overall risk reduction effect was confirmed. The group that engaged in sports activities had about a 46% lower risk of depressive symptoms than the non-exercising group, and those who did strength training and aerobic exercise showed reductions of 40% and 41%, respectively. The risk of depressive symptoms was also about 19% lower in people who walked regularly.

In particular, this preventive effect was more pronounced when exercise was maintained for at least 150 minutes per week and consistently for at least one year, regardless of the type of exercise. Maintaining sports activities for more than 150 minutes per week for over a year reduced the risk of depressive symptoms by up to 57%. Even consistently continuing walking exercise showed effects. Walking for more than 150 minutes per week for over a year reduced the risk of depressive symptoms by about 31%. On the other hand, if the exercise period was less than one year, the risk reduction effect was not statistically significant.

The research team explained, "For the elderly who find high-intensity exercise difficult, consistent walking can be an effective way to prevent depressive symptoms," and added, "Combining aerobic exercise, strength training, and sports activities can further enhance the preventive effect."