Lee Min Ho revealed that he was involved in a major car accident at the age of 20 while traveling with his friend Jung Il Woo.

On the December 25 episode of the tvN variety show ‘You Quiz on the Block,’ Lee Min Ho appeared as a guest and shared stories from his early career. He mentioned experiencing a significant hiatus during his rookie days due to a tragic accident in 2006 when he was 20 years old, which left him hospitalized for a year.

At the time, Lee Min Ho was traveling to Gangwon Province with his close friend Jung Il Woo when their vehicle collided with a drunk-driving car that had crossed the centerline. The accident caused severe injuries, including a fractured thigh bone and torn cartilage, requiring seven months of recovery. Jung Il Woo also suffered serious injuries and was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Both had to spend an extended period recovering in hospital beds.

Lee Min Ho recalled, “It even made the local news in Gangwon Province. It was a fatal accident. Everyone in the offending vehicle passed away. I spent almost a year lying in a hospital bed.”

He continued, “Il Woo was also seriously injured. We were both just 20 years old, a time when you were dreaming and eager to pursue your aspirations as an adult. Suddenly, everything stopped without warning. I went through denial, anger, depression, and eventually acceptance.”

At the time of the accident, Lee Min Ho had just finished filming the EBS drama ‘Secret Campus‘ and was beginning to establish his presence in the entertainment industry. However, the unexpected accident put everything on indefinite hold.

While Lee Min Ho continued receiving inpatient treatment, Jung Il Woo was discharged earlier and went on to gain massive popularity through the sitcom ‘High Kick.’ Lee Min Ho admitted to feeling mixed emotions about his friend’s success.

He confessed, “I hated myself for feeling that way. I wanted to cheer and support him 100%, but I couldn’t help feeling impatient. I also wanted to be recognized and make a name for myself. I wondered if I couldn’t fully celebrate my friend because of those feelings.”

Despite these struggles, Lee Min Ho eventually rose to stardom through the drama ‘Boys Over Flowers.’ Reflecting on that time, he said, “The competition for the role was 300 to 1, but I had to get it. I was in a desperate situation.”

Contrary to his on-screen portrayal as a wealthy heir, Lee Min Ho was dealing with severe financial difficulties in real life. He shared, “My character was a chaebol, but I was going through a tough time. My family was in such a bad situation that we had to live separately. My mom became the sole breadwinner.”

He added, “I vividly remember my mom sitting alone, looking small and worn out as she sorted through stacks of bills. Even though I was young, I felt a strong urge to enter the workforce quickly and ease her burden. Acting became my livelihood. I once gave her 1 million KRW (about 700 USD) from my earnings from a commercial, and she was so happy.”