Lee Min Ho has opened up about the 2006 car accident that changed his outlook on life, recalling the frightening moment when a doctor warned his mother that he might not be able to walk again. The actor said the experience shaped his positive mindset and changed the way he approached difficult moments. Lee revisited the memory while discussing his role in the period thriller Assassin(s), where his character also uses humour to cope with dangerous situations.
Lee Min Ho Recalls The 2006 Car Accident
Lee Min Ho was involved in a serious traffic accident when he was 20 years old, after travelling with fellow actor Jung Il Woo. The crash was severe and left Lee with injuries that required extensive treatment and recovery. The actor previously revealed that he spent nearly a year in the hospital following the accident.
Looking back during his latest interview, he focused on one particular moment just before his surgery, when a doctor told his mother that there was a possibility he might not walk again. The warning left Lee facing the possibility of a life-changing injury at a very young age.
Actor Tried To Reassure His Mother Before Surgery
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Lee said he tried to keep his mother from worrying. As he was being taken into the operating room, he joked that he might not have to serve in the military after all. The comment was meant to make the situation feel lighter, but Lee admitted that he was not as fearless as he appeared.
Once the operating room doors closed, he said he became overwhelmed by fear and cried. He later understood that the cheerful attitude had served 2 purposes: reassuring his mother and comforting himself while dealing with a frightening situation.
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Accident Changed Lee Min Ho's Perspective On Life
Lee explained that his outlook gradually changed after the accident. He became someone who tries to use positive energy to focus on what comes next, even when circumstances are difficult. The experience also influenced the way he connects with characters who respond to danger with humour.
While discussing his role in Assassin(s), he said he could relate to his character's ability to turn a tense or painful situation into a lighter moment. For Lee, that quality is not simply about making jokes. It has become part of the way he deals with uncertainty and prepares himself for the future.
Lee Min Ho Plays A Rookie Reporter In Assassin(s)
Lee Min Ho stars in Assassin(s) as Young Il, a passionate rookie reporter investigating the mystery surrounding the attempted assassination of South Korea's First Lady on August 15, 1974. The character becomes involved in dangerous situations while pursuing the truth, including a moment where he is injured while trying to help Kang Ja, played by Shim Eun Kyung. His response to danger helped Lee find a personal connection with the role.
Directed by Heo Jin Ho, Assassin(s) explores the suspicions and hidden forces surrounding the 1974 incident. The film was released in Korean theatres on September 23, 2026. Lee's reflections on his accident have now offered audiences a deeper understanding of the personal experiences behind the positive mindset he brings to both his career and his characters.
Final Take
Lee Min Ho has recalled the frightening aftermath of his 2006 car accident, revealing that doctors warned he might not walk again. Although he hid his fear behind humour before surgery, the experience ultimately changed his perspective and inspired the positive outlook he carries today.
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