Lee Byung-hun Reveals Struggles with Severe Panic Disorder: Fears of Collapsing During Live Broadcasts

Lee Byung-hun Opens Up About His Viral Fame and Musical Ventures

On March 15, the popular YouTube channel “DdeunDdeun” featured an engaging interview with acclaimed actor Lee Byung-hun, during which he reflected on his unexpected rise to meme stardom. In a candid moment, Lee confessed, “Initially, I felt embarrassed and ashamed about the memes, but I decided to embrace the situation. My mindset became, ‘Let’s subliminate this. I’ll show you even more.’” This shift in perspective showcases his growth as a public figure and his willingness to adapt to the changing digital landscape.

Creative Collaborations and Dance Surprises

During the discussion, Lee shared insights into how directors have creatively integrated dance elements into his film projects. Notably, he teased a surprising dance scene in his forthcoming collaboration with renowned director Park Chan-wook, stating, “There’s a dance scene in the film that you wouldn’t expect. Personally, I adore it.” This revelation demonstrates his versatility as an actor, eager to explore new creative avenues.

Persistence Pays Off: Collaborating with PSY

Lee also recounted his journey to appearing in PSY’s memorable music video. The actor revealed that PSY had persistently approached him for years, and despite initially declining due to concerns about his relevance in music videos, he ultimately relented.“After a year or so of dodging, I realized he wouldn’t give up. So, I thought, ‘I should do this while I’m still young!’” Lee attributed PSY’s success to his unyielding determination, illustrating the power of perseverance in the entertainment industry.

Behind the Scenes: Convincing Lee to Join SNL Korea

Lee’s friend, comedian Shin Dong-yup, played a pivotal role in persuading him to join the cast of “SNL Korea.” Lee humorously recalled, “Shin Dong-yup’s persistence is extraordinary. He literally stayed at my house for three nights just to convince me.” One memorable occasion involved a wine-fueled night where Shin brought up “SNL Korea” after the third bottle. Despite their close friendship, Lee candidly admitted that his struggle with panic disorder made him hesitant, stating, “The thought of having a panic attack while live on air terrified me.”

Facing His Fears: A Changing Perspective

Sharing his experiences, he remarked, “I can act in a role comfortably. But when I introduce myself as ‘Lee Byung-hun’, anxiety sets in.” Despite his fears, Shin’s persistence saw him returning on multiple nights, eventually leading Lee to agree to participate. Reflecting on this decision, he humorously noted, “Here I am, a living meme factory!” highlighting the irony in his newfound status as a viral sensation.

A Heartfelt Moment with His Son

In a touching segment, Lee shared a precious moment from his personal life when he introduced his son to his films for the first time. He recapped, “We held a special week-long exhibition that showcased one of my films each day.” To Lee’s delight, he selected “Masquerade” as the film to share first. He humorously mentioned, “Until then, my son probably thought I was merely a YouTube meme star.” However, what moved Lee the most was witnessing his son’s emotional response during the film, which led to tears.“When I asked what made him cry, he surprised me by saying it wasn’t any of my scenes that affected him. It was the moment when Captain Do died.”

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