On the December 8 broadcast of Channel A’s feature episode on announcers, actor Lee Jin-hyuk shared that he was born with a serious heart defect.
“I had congenital heart disease. I underwent heart surgery immediately after I was born,” he said, recalling how the condition continued to affect him throughout his childhood.
He explained that his physical limitations made trainee life particularly challenging. “I always felt physically weak. Training was incredibly tough. I wondered, ‘Other trainees can endure this—why can’t I?’” he said.
His mother once suggested he consider giving up, to which he reacted strongly: “I hated hearing that. It made me push myself even harder. Eventually, my body adjusted.”
Though he is now known as both an idol and an actor, Lee Jin-hyuk originally dreamed of acting.
He revealed that his first formal training came from none other than the late veteran actor Lee Soon-jae. “I attended the acting academy founded by the late Lee Soon-jae. I was part of the academy’s very first class in 2011,” Lee Jin-hyuk said. The academy collaborated with an entertainment agency for auditions, and he was selected—leading him into the idol trainee system.
After five years as a trainee, Lee Jin-hyuk debuted at age 20 as a member of boy group UP10TION, marking his 10th anniversary this year.
Lee Jin-hyuk’s story—marked by resilience, persistence, and the guidance of a legendary acting mentor—continues to inspire fans as he expands his career as both a singer and actor.
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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