'RED 2' Star Lee Byung Hun Admits He Has Panic Attacks

South Korean actor Lee Byung Hun, who rose to international fame with recent roles in the films "RED 2" with John Malkovich and Catherine Zeta-Jones "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" with Bruce Willis and Duane Johnson, admitted to having panic attacks in a recent television interview.

Lee opened up about the psychological condition in the documentary "The Old Rookie Lee Byung Hun and Hollywood," which aired last weekend on the Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS).

"My mind and the symptoms felt throughout my body are constantly at ends," said the actor.

"My mind and body clash with each other with the former telling me that if I'm going to work then I need to do it properly and the latter telling me to stop and rest."

And he says his condition still persists.

Lee admitted to having a panic attack earlier this month during an appearance on the SBS Radio Power FM radio show "2PM Escape: Cultwo Show."

The actor reportedly had to crouch down under a table in order to regain his composure.

"It could eventually result in a broadcasting accident," Lee said. "It could have eventually led to me collapsing or apologizing and leaving because I couldn't endure it any longer."

But despite his apprehensions, the 43-year-old actor's career is exploding.

In addition to his role in "RED 2," Lee was also named the most successful Korean actor in Japan for the year so far on Friday by KOREAL Magazine, along with singer and actor Hero Jaejoong.

His recent action performances have even drawn comparisons to Chinese superstar Jackie Chan, an idea the actor shrugged off last week on an episode of the Korean Broadcasting System program "News Line."

"I respect Jackie Chan a lot," Lee said.

"I've only been in three movies. I'm not at that level. I'm like a rookie. I'm looking forward to showing other parts of me."

Other aspects of his acting ability that he says many Hollywood casting agents don't want to see.

"In Hollywood, people think that Asian male actors can only kick. But I think that we can not only do that, but even more," he said. "I want to think optimistically and see it as having many chances."

The actor wants to show American audiences the wide array of characters he can play like he has been able to do in South Korea.

"I do a variety of genres in Korea, if I get a chance, I want to do a variety of genres in Hollywood, too," " Lee said.

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Lee Byung Hun
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