5 things to know about Lee Min-ho, star of The King: Eternal Monarch

Since his acting debut in 2006, 32-year-old actor, singer, and model Lee Min-ho remains one of Korea’s top Hallyu stars and a global celebrity. He has starred in multiple hit dramas and films, winning numerous acting awards, from Best Actor to rookie awards, as well as Best Couple with Park Shin-hye.

Now on the second act of his career, Lee’s drama comeback in The King: Eternal Monarch is much-awaited. The actor was discharged from military enlistment last year, and fans have been looking forward to his upcoming projects since.

Below, we get to know more about the actor behind the scenes.

1. He has miraculously survived two car accidents

Lee has been in near-death accidents twice in his lifetime, with a significant impact on his career. In a 2015 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lee mentions that while viewers may not notice it, he only uses his good leg while filming fight scenes.

In 2017, Lee was exempted from active duties because of his injury. Instead, he underwent basic military training and public service duty.

In 2006 Lee and his actor friend Jung Il-woo were involved in an accident. The two actors, who were only 19 years old at that time, were headed to Gangwon province to go on holiday when a vehicle that went off-track drove straight into their car. The two were severely injured and Lee was bedridden for months. Jung also suffered severely.

The Korea Times reported the accident left Lee with a broken thigh and ankle and a tear in a knee cartilage, which required a 46-centimetre metal pin to be inserted in his thigh, leaving his left leg shorter than the other.

In 2011, while filming City Hunter, Lee had another car accident, although fortunately, he did not have any serious injuries.

2. He wasn’t a great student