Lee Je Hoon sustained an injury while filming his comeback movie, "Escape."
Starring in an action movie with Goo Kyo Hwan, the actor spoke about his experience shooting the film and the physical struggles he had to endure during the production.
Helmed by "Samjin Company English Class" and "The Sound of a Flower" director Lee Jong Pil, the new movie depicts the story of a North Korean soldier, Gyu Nam, played by Lee Je Hoon, who is in his 10-year service and wants to escape to South Korea for a better life.
However, amid this, he was caught by major security team officer Hyun Sang, played by Goo Kyo Hwan, escaping the barbed-wire fence at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Interestingly, Hyun Sang recognized Gyu Nam from his childhood.
In an interview, ahead of the highly anticipated release, Lee Je Hoon told a local media outlet about his remarkable experience filming "Escape."
Lee Je Hoon Reveals Suffering from Knee Injury While Filming 'Escape'
The 39-year-old actor is not an amateur when it comes to doing action scenes; however, he revealed that filming "Escape" was among the hardest that he did, particularly the running scene.
According to Lee Je Hoon, during the production, the team attached the camera to a moving car and had to run along with it.
"In reality, it's impossible to keep up with a moving car on foot. However, I had a strong feeling that I had to follow it no matter what."
Trying to maintain the momentum, the actor revealed that he struggled physically.
"I was panting so heavily that I experienced moments where I thought I might stop breathing."
He added that he ran as if it were a life-or-death situation.
"I often collapsed to the ground out of exhaustion."
Read also: Lee Je Hoon Reveals Signing Death Consent Form Amid Health Struggle: 'I Was in So Much Pain'
After the scene, Lee Je Hoon suffered from deteriorated knee ligaments and had to be rushed to the hospital.
"When going down the stairs, my knees wouldn't bend. I had to hold onto the railing to go down. When I went to the hospital, I was diagnosed with having strained my knees from overuse."
Despite this, he is eager to deliver amazing performances and said that he "would run the same way" if need be.
Prior to this, Lee Je Hoon underwent emergency surgery after he was diagnosed with ischemic colitis, which occurs "when blood flow to part of the large intestine is reduced," as mentioned by Mayo Clinic.
Due to this, he had to halt his upcoming activities, which included hosting the 28th Busan International Film Festival with Park Eun Bin and filming some of his scenes in "Escape."
'Escape' Release Date and Cast
Headlined by Lee Je Hoon and Goo Kyo Hwan, "Escape" will be officially released in theaters on July 3.
Viewers will also get to see an amazing cast, like Hong Xa Bin, with special appearances from Song Kang and Esom.
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Written by Geca Flores