Korean Actor Lee Deok-hwa Reveals Harrowing Accident and Recovery Journey

Korean actor Lee Deok-hwa has opened up about a life-altering accident that left him with a grade 3 physical disability.

On the October 4th episode of tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block,' Lee Deok-hwa shared his traumatic experience from his youth. During his 20s, while riding a motorcycle, he was involved in a severe accident with a 10-ton bus.

Lee recounted, "The motorcycle was crushed under the 10-ton bus, and I was underneath it. I was dragged a considerable distance in that state." He continued, "I was wearing jeans, but only the belt remained. I had on a leather jacket, but only the collar was left. Everything else was gone. I was dragged 50 to 60 meters under that weight, and I nearly died."

The accident was so severe that Lee had to undergo more than 50 surgeries. He shared, "I had over 50 surgeries, had more than a meter of my intestines removed, and received 1,500 stitches. Doctors would tell me every day that it was a critical moment. My colleagues even paid their respects in advance, thinking I wouldn't make it."

Throughout this ordeal, Lee's then-girlfriend, now his wife, stayed by his side. He expressed his gratitude, saying, "For three years, she took care of me, tending to my every need. Thanks to her, I survived." He also revealed, "I still face many challenges and have been classified with a grade 3 disability."

Lee recalled, "They put iron bars on the hospital windows to prevent me from having any harmful thoughts." He expressed his deep affection for his wife, saying, "She stayed with me for three years, even when her sisters tried to take her away. I wouldn't want to be reborn if I couldn't meet her again."

Reported by Kim Ji-won, TenAsia bella@tenasia.co.kr