Actor Lee Minho talked about the terrible car accident he and actor Jung il Woo experienced and the emotional turmoil he had still being in the hospital while Jung il Woo recovered and rose to stardom.
On December 25, Lee Minho guested on tvN's television show 'You Quiz on the Block' hosted by entertainers Yu Jae Seok and Cho Sae-ho.
On the show, Lee Minho talked about a car accident he had when his acting career was starting.
"After finishing my debut project, I got in a major car accident.", he said.
"It was a huge accident where all the people who were in the car at fault died. I was hospitalized for about a year, unable to do anything other than lie down on the bed.", Lee Minho remembered.
"I heard that the accident happened while you and Jung il Woo were going on a trip. A drunk driver drove a car over the centerline, colliding with yours. Jung il Woo shared the story before, I remember.", Yu Jae Seok said with a heavy sigh.
Lee Minho nodded and added that Jung il Woo was seriously injured in the accident, as was himself.
Lee Minho shared that the accident caused him more damage than physical ones.
"I was twenty years old back then. Entering adulthood, I had a lot of dreams and a bubbling desire to make things happen."
"Then, all of a sudden, everything stopped. There was nothing I could do but think. Denial, anger, depression, and acceptance; all those emotions came and went."
Jung il Woo, also hospitalized after the accident, was released months before Lee Minho and rose to stardom as he appeared on MBC's mega-hit sitcom 'High Kick!'.
Yu Jae Seok asked Lee Minho if watching Jung il Woo's success made him feel anxious about his situation as he was still under hospital treatment back then.
"I did feel that way, and I hated myself for that. Although I applauded his success and rooted for him, my heart wasn't 100% for him. A part of it was impatiently saying, 'I have to get out of here fast and get my name known and get recognition like him.'."
"Then I felt ashamed about not being able to congratulate my friend with all my heart.", Lee Minho remembered.
Meanwhile, Lee Minho and his close friend Jung il Woo had a car accident while going on a trip together.
Lee Minho suffered severe injuries, including a broken thigh and ankle; he had to undergo extensive surgery to have metal pins implanted in his leg.
Lee Minho had undergone hospital treatment for a year, and Jung il Woo spent four months and a half in the hospital.
(Credit= tvN You Quiz on the Block, Online Community)