So, what exactly happened a few years ago? Check out the full report in this article below!
Lee Min-ho’s Major Car Accident in 2006
Many may not realize this, but actor Lee Min-ho and Jung Il-woo are good friends in real life. Their friendship even dates back to years ago since they both were childhood friends. In 2006, both actors decided to celebrate their friendship by going on vacation together. They both were 19 at that time, and they decided to do a road trip to Gangwon Province with two other friends. Unfortunately, the joy of going on a road trip with friends was cut short when they were involved in a car accident. On their way to Gangwon, their car was hit by another car from the opposite lane. The car hit them suddenly, and it destroyed the hood and engine of their car. After that, it was revealed that the vehicle that hit them drove away from the scene, making it a hit-and-run accident. Lee Min-ho and Jung Il-woo both miraculously survived. But, unfortunately, their two other friends didn’t. After this accident, Lee Min-ho had to stay hospitalized for months. The accident left him with various injuries from broken ribs, thigh, and ankle. He also had to undergo an operation because his knee cartilage was torn. Metal was placed in his thigh to straighten his bones. At first, the doctor said that Lee Min-ho might not be able to walk again. But, thanks to his perseverance, he healed despite having to have 46 cm iron plates planted in his right leg for 3 years. The iron plates in his right leg were removed in 2009 after he filmed the drama Boys Over Flowers. The details of this accident were told by Jung Il-woo when he guessed on KBS2’s Happy Together in 2020. Check out the full details of their accident in the video below!
Lee Min-ho’s Minor Car Accident in 2011
It was indeed a miracle that Lee Min-ho survived the 2006 fatal crash. But, it may be destiny that he survived another car accident in 2011. In 2011, during the filming of his drama City Hunter, Lee Min-ho was once again involved in a car accident. In the drama, Lee Min-ho’s character was involved in various action scenes, including a car-racing scene. Although Lee Min-ho didn’t suffer serious harm, this accident destroyed the car that he used. After the accident, Lee Min-ho still resumed his filming. A representative from the drama stated, “With the car half totaled, we were worried, but fortunately his injuries weren’t severe. Aside from Lee Min-ho, there was another person riding in the car, a director from the production company who was injured and treated. Since safety comes first, we shut down filming and will focus on treating the injured parties.” He went on, “We have a few scenes left to film, but we’ll possibly continue filming tomorrow or will have to rely on other methods like editing.” Lee Min-ho survived not only one accident but two. Talk about a miracle.
Lee Min-ho Speaks Up about the Accident
Lee Min-ho finally talked about his experience in surviving the accident when he talked on a news program in 2011. Although he only talked about his second car accident, this still gives us a glimpse of what he went through. He said that it was a miracle that he survived. “The witnesses said it was a miracle I was still alive,” he said. Although he appeared with ease in the program, he shared that he still had trouble with his injury. “I feel fine now, except that my back still hurts, but it may be due to the excessive rain lately. I think I may need to see a doctor after this,” he revealed. In the interview, he also shared his favorite action scenes in the drama. He revealed about the spoon move that he learned. “The move is supposed to be done with a sword, but because we can’t use that on set, we substituted it with a spoon,” he said. He also shared how much the drama had changed him. “I feel like I’ve grown as a person while shooting City Hunter. Hopefully, when it’s all said and done, I’ll be a better Min Ho than I was when I first started,” he said.
The Aftermath of the Accident
Although Lee Min-ho might seem safe after surviving those car accidents, it was not without a cost. Those accidents more or less still left a lasting impact on him On a public forum and fan community, a source revealed that after the accident, Lee Min-ho couldn’t use his right foot in every action scene. He always makes sure to use his left foot. It was also reported that he can’t stand up for more than 20 minutes. Even during the shooting of his 2015 film Gangnam Blues, he would sit after 20 minutes of standing up. Since Lee Min-ho was involved in 2 car accidents (2006 and 2011), he was placed in the public service department for his military service. He started his military service in May 2017 and completed it in 2019. After that, he took a role in yet another romance drama filled with action scenes, Netflix’s The King: Eternal Monarch (2020). So, we can say that those accidents might not be the end of Lee Min-ho’s action roles. To this date, he remains one of the top actors in South Korea and will, hopefully, remain safe and healthy. We are so glad that he’s fine. He is indeed a true survivor! So, these are all the things that you need to know regarding Lee Min-ho’s car accidents that nearly killed him. What is your perspective of him after reading this article? Please share with us in the comment section below!
