How A Horrifying Accident Made Super Junior’s Kyuhyun Almost Lose His Career – And His Life

Super Junior recently came back with their energetic hit, “2YA2YAO!”, in which vocal powerhouses Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung showed us why they are known as some of the best singers in the industry.

Did you know, however, that over a decade ago, Kyuhyun almost lost his voice – and his life?

On April 19, 2007, Kyuhyun and fellow Super Junior members Leeteuk, Shindong, and Eunhyuk were involved in a very serious car accident.

They were returning from their radio show when the van they were in tilted sideways on the Olympic Highway, and eventually flipped due to a burst tire. While Eunhyuk and Shindong weren’t seriously injured, Leeteuk suffered from a head injury that knocked him unconscious, and Kyuhyun was thrown 20-30 meters from the van.

I just blanked out right at the moment. When I woke up, I was lying on the road. It felt like my lower body was paralyzed. That’s when I felt like I was going to die soon, so I started to pray. Eunhyuk also ran to me and started praying together. I thought I was on my knees, but I wasn’t.  When I woke up, I was already in the hospital bed. They said I’ve been hospitalized for four days. So I rested for 4 to 5 months.

— Kyuhyun

Kyuhyun had suffered from many injuries, including ribs penetrating his lungs. Doctors said that in order to save him, they would have perform surgery on his throat, which would end his singing career. His father, who had arrived at the hospital while Kyuhyun was in a coma, made the impossible decision to not have the surgery performed and pray that his son would survive anyway.

My son is a singer. Taking his voice is similar to taking his dreams. I can’t entirely agree with that.

— Kyuhyun’s father

Miraculously, the doctors were able to perform an alternative surgery to his ribs, and Kyuhyun survived – beautiful voice still intact. And we are so thankful for it, because Super Junior wouldn’t be the same without him!