The K-pop world moves fast. One minute you're watching a "Case 143" fancam, and the next, your Twitter feed is blowing up with frantic hashtags and blurry screenshots. If you’ve spent any time in the STAY fandom lately, you might have seen people asking: did Felix get into a car accident? It’s the kind of question that sends a spike of adrenaline through any fan's chest. You start scrolling. You look for an official statement from JYP Entertainment. You check Bubble.
Honestly, the panic is understandable.
But here’s the reality. While there have been a few scares involving the Stray Kids members and their transport vans over the years, the specific narrative regarding Lee Felix and a recent, serious car crash is largely a mix of old news, misinterpreted headlines, and the general chaos of the internet's game of "telephone." Let's clear the air.
What Really Happened with the Stray Kids Car Accident?
To understand why people keep asking if Felix got into a car accident, we have to look back at September 2023. This is usually the source of the confusion.
On September 20, 2023, JYP Entertainment released a formal statement that genuinely rattled the fanbase. A vehicle carrying three members of Stray Kids—Lee Know, Hyunjin, and Seungmin—was involved in a minor collision. It wasn't a high-speed wreck, but it was enough to cancel their scheduled appearance at the Global Citizen Festival as a full group.
Felix was not in that car.
He wasn't involved in the collision at all. However, because the news broke as "Stray Kids members involved in car accident," many casual observers or worried fans who caught only half a headline assumed the entire group, including the "Sunshine" of the group, Felix, was in danger. He was actually safe, though undoubtedly shaken by what happened to his teammates.
The members who were in the car suffered minor muscle pain and bruises. They were taken to the hospital immediately, and doctors advised them to take a break from activities to recover. This led to a brief hiatus for the trio involved, while Felix and the others continued with a modified schedule.
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The Power of Misinformation on TikTok and X
Why does this question keep popping up in 2026? TikTok.
Social media algorithms love drama. You've probably seen those "edit" videos. They use sad music, slow-motion clips of Felix looking tired or emotional, and a caption like "I can't believe this happened to him #caraccident #felix." Often, these creators are just looking for engagement. They take a clip of Felix from a completely unrelated vlog—maybe one where he's talking about his back pain or looking exhausted after a 12-hour rehearsal—and frame it as "post-accident footage."
It's frustrating. It's misleading. And it keeps the rumor alive long after the actual event has passed.
Felix’s Real Health Struggles: The Herniated Disc
If you’re worried about Felix’s physical well-being, there is a factual basis for his past absences, but it has nothing to do with a car.
In early 2022, JYP announced that Felix was diagnosed with intervertebral disc herniation. This is a serious back injury that can be incredibly painful, especially for someone whose job involves high-intensity choreography and constant travel.
- He had to limit his movements during the "Stray Kids 2nd World Tour 'MANIAC'."
- Fans saw him performing while sitting on a stool.
- He underwent physical therapy and took a significant period of rest.
When fans see photos of Felix wearing medical tape or moving stiffly, they sometimes jump to the conclusion of an "accident." In reality, it’s the physical toll of being a world-class idol. Chronic back issues are, unfortunately, quite common in the industry. Felix has been very open with STAYs about his recovery process, often reassuring fans through Bubble that he is taking care of himself and doing his exercises.
Why Do These Rumors Stick to Felix Specifically?
Felix is one of the most popular members of Stray Kids globally. His deep voice and ethereal visuals make him a frequent subject of fan edits. Because he has a massive international following, any news—true or false—spreads across language barriers instantly.
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Sometimes, translation errors play a role. A Korean news report might mention "safety precautions" for a flight or a car ride, and by the time it reaches English-speaking social media, it has morphed into "Felix was in a crash."
Also, let’s be real. Felix is known for being incredibly sweet and somewhat vulnerable with his fans. There is a protective instinct in the fandom. When even a whisper of a "car accident" starts, the community goes into overdrive to check on him, which ironically pushes the keyword higher in search rankings and makes the rumor look like "breaking news."
How to Verify Celebrity News Without Spiraling
If you see a post tomorrow claiming Felix got into a car accident, don't panic immediately. There are a few ways to verify this that don't involve trusting a random TikTok account with 400 followers.
First, check the official Stray Kids Fan's website or the JYPE Twitter (X) account. JYP is a publicly-traded company; they are legally obligated to report incidents that affect their artists' ability to perform. If it isn't there, it probably didn't happen.
Second, look at recent fan-site photos. "Fansites" are photographers who follow the group to almost every event. If Felix was just seen at an airport looking healthy and smiling two hours ago, the "breaking news" about an accident is likely fake.
Third, look for the source of the "accident" photos. Most of the time, the "crashed car" photos used in these clickbait videos are stock images or photos from unrelated accidents involving other celebrities from years ago.
The Current Status of Felix and Stray Kids
As of right now, Felix is active, healthy, and busy. The group has been pushing boundaries with their music, and Felix has been a mainstay at major fashion events, including his work with Louis Vuitton.
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He hasn't been in a car accident. He’s been on planes, on stages, and in recording studios.
The 2023 accident involving Lee Know, Hyunjin, and Seungmin remains the most recent significant vehicular incident for the group, and thankfully, everyone recovered fully from that. It served as a wake-up call for the intensity of their schedules and the importance of road safety for idols who are often moved around in the middle of the night between venues.
Moving Forward as a Fan
Dealing with the "rumor mill" is part of being in a big fandom. It’s exhausting.
The best thing you can do is stop engaging with the clickbait. Don't comment on the TikToks telling them they're wrong—that just tells the algorithm the video is "engaging" and shows it to more people. Report the video for misinformation and move on.
Felix has enough on his plate managing his back health and a grueling global tour schedule without the internet "killing him off" in a fake car crash every six months.
Actionable Steps for Staying Informed
- Follow official channels: Turn on notifications for the @Stray_Kids official X account.
- Check reputable K-pop news sites: Sites like Soompi or Naver News (via translation) are much more reliable than social media "tea" accounts.
- Support his health: Focus on the confirmed news, like his back recovery, by supporting his decision to sit out or limit dancing when he needs to.
- Verify before sharing: If you see a "breaking" post, wait 15 minutes. If it’s real, the major news outlets will have it within that timeframe.
Felix is fine. The cars are fine. The only thing crashing right now is probably the servers whenever Stray Kids drops a new "SKZ-PLAYER" or a surprise teaser. Stay skeptical of the drama and keep your focus on the music.