Lee Min-ho is a multi-talented South Korean actor, singer, model, creative director, and businessman. He gained international recognition and widespread fame for his portrayal of Gu Jun-pyo in the hit series "Boys Over Flowers" (2009), which earned him the Best New Actor award at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards. Throughout his career, he has delivered notable performances in various lead roles in television series, including "Personal Taste" (2010), "City Hunter" (2011), "Faith" (2012), "The Heirs" (2013), "The Legend of the Blue Sea" (2016), and Studio Dragon's "The King: Eternal Monarch" (2020). In addition to his television work, Lee has also ventured into film, taking on his first lead role in "Gangnam Blues" (2015) and starring in the China-produced film "Bounty Hunters" (2016) as well as the mini-romance-web-series "Line Romance" (2014). With the immense success of his television series, Lee has solidified his position as a top Hallyu star and is the most followed South Korean actor on social media. He also became the first Korean celebrity to have wax figures made in his likeness at Madame Tussauds, with figures unveiled in Shanghai in 2013 and Hong Kong in 2014, further cementing his global popularity.
Renowned for his versatility, Lee Min-ho is a South Korean actor who is famous for his role as Gu Jun-pyo in the popular series "Boys Over Flowers" (2009). With a string of memorable performances in lead roles across various television dramas such as "Personal Taste", "City Hunter", "Faith", "The Heirs", "The Legend of the Blue Sea", and Studio Dragon's "The King: Eternal Monarch", Lee has established himself as a sought-after talent.
Born on June 22, 1987, in Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea, Lee Min-ho is the younger sibling in his family. Raised by Buddhist parents, he grew up alongside his older sister, Yun-jeong, who later became the co-founder and CEO of his current agency MYM Entertainment. Despite his Buddhist upbringing, Lee does not practice any specific religion. During his childhood, he initially aspired to become a professional football player before venturing into the entertainment industry. As of 2023, Lee Min-ho is 36 years old and holds South Korean nationality, belonging to the South Korean-Asian ethnicity. During his time at Namseong Elementary School, Lee Min-ho had dreams of becoming a professional football player and was selected for the junior football class under the guidance of manager and former player Cha Bum-kun. Unfortunately, his aspirations were cut short by an injury he sustained in fifth grade. Throughout his school years, Lee faced teasing and nicknames from his peers. In an interview, he mentioned being called "kkamdungi" (meaning 'darkie') due to his tan skin during his time at Namseong, while he was referred to as 'skeleton' in Banpo Middle School for being too skinny and as 'demon' in high school due to his playful personality. However, Lee's interests gradually shifted towards acting and modeling during his first year at Danggok High School. A chance encounter with the future president of Starhaus Entertainment paved the way for his professional acting career, leading him to sign with the agency in 2005. Later, he pursued a degree in Film Arts at Konkuk University and currently continues his studies, pursuing a master's degree in Film at Kookmin University Graduate School.
Lee Min-ho initially started his acting career with minor roles in television shows like "Romance," "Nonstop," and "Recipe of Love." He made his official debut as the main lead in the EBS series "Secret Campus" in 2006. In the early stages of his career, he used the stage name Lee Min but later switched back to his birth name due to difficulties in online searches. In 2006, Lee was involved in a serious car accident that put his acting career on hold for a year. The accident resulted in the tragic death of their two friends, and Lee suffered severe injuries, spending months bedridden. After recovering, he received his first leading role in the high-school drama "Mackerel Run" in 2007, but the series was cut short due to low viewership ratings. In 2008, Lee appeared in various television dramas and movies, forming a friendship with actor Kim Su-ro during the filming of "Our School's E.T.".
Lee Min-ho's breakthrough came in 2009 when he secured the lead role of Gu Jun-pyo in KBS' "Boys Over Flowers," the Korean adaptation of the popular Shōjo manga. The competition for the role was fierce, and Lee discovered his casting through newspapers. The series gained immense popularity and generated significant buzz throughout South Korea, garnering high viewership ratings. This success propelled Lee to stardom, earning him numerous endorsement deals and sparking a new wave of Korean culture, known as Hallyu, throughout Asia. In 2010, he starred in the romantic comedy "Personal Taste," portraying a young architect who pretends to be gay to become roommates with a young woman, resulting in romantic complications. When asked about his role choice, Lee expressed that he believed he would excel in more profound and mature roles as he grew older, but "Personal Taste" provided a perfect opportunity to showcase his versatility with its bright and cheerful yet emotionally engaging storyline.
In 2011, Lee Min-ho took on the lead role in the action drama "City Hunter," a loose adaptation of Tsukasa Hojo's manga. The series proved to be a commercial success and contributed significantly to Lee's rising popularity, particularly in Japan, the Philippines, China, and France. He also appeared on the popular Chinese variety show "Happy Camp" in December 2011. In 2012, Lee starred in the historical-medical drama "Faith" alongside Kim Hee-sun. Despite achieving viewership ratings in the 10% range, the drama faced commercial failure due to its high budget. Lee's popularity continued to soar, and in April 2013, his wax figure was unveiled at Madame Tussauds Shanghai. He released his first album, "My Everything," in May 2013 and embarked on a fan meeting tour in Asia. Lee made a highly anticipated return to television with the teen drama "The Heirs," written by Kim Eun-sook. The series premiered in October 2013 and became immensely popular both domestically and internationally, with a peak rating of 28.6% and over one billion hits on the Chinese streaming website iQiyi.
In January 2014, Lee Min-ho's popularity continued to soar as a second wax figure of him was unveiled at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, further cementing his status as a global star. He made history as the first Korean celebrity to perform on China's CCTV Lunar New Year Gala on January 30, where he sang a song with Harlem Yu, the original singer of the theme song from the Taiwanese version of "Boys Over Flowers." Lee was also invited to participate in the South Korean Presidential Committee for Cultural Enrichment's third conference as a representative of the entertainment industry. He received the Prime Minister's Commendation at the 5th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards in recognition of his contributions to the Hallyu wave. In October 2014, Lee released his second EP, "Song for You," under Universal Music. Despite stating that he had no ambition to pursue a singing career, he recorded the tracks as a gift for his fans. The release coincided with the start of his RE:MINHO fan meeting tour, which took him to various Asian cities. Lee then took on his first leading role in a feature film with Yoo Ha's noir action film "Gangnam Blues" (2015), co-starring Kim Rae-won. In 2016, he starred in the action comedy "Bounty Hunters," directed by Shin Terra, which achieved box office success in China, grossing $31 million. He also made a successful small-screen comeback in the fantasy romance drama "The Legend of the Blue Sea" alongside actress Jun Ji-hyun. However, in May 2017, Lee began his mandatory military service, temporarily pausing his acting career.
In 2019, Lee Min-ho was cast in the highly anticipated romantic-fantasy drama "The King: Eternal Monarch," written by renowned writer Kim Eun-sook, known for her work on "The Heirs." The series, broadcast on SBS and distributed by Netflix, marked Lee's comeback after completing his mandatory military service. It set a record for SBS's highest drama premiere ratings in 2020 and maintained the top spot on the weekly Wavve drama chart for eight consecutive weeks. While the series received mixed reviews and lower domestic TV viewership ratings in later episodes compared to Kim Eun-sook's previous works, it gained popularity overseas and was listed as the most popular Korean drama series on Netflix in several countries.
In 2022, he made his Hollywood debut in the main role of Koh Hansu, a mysterious merchant, in the television series adaptation of Min Jin Lee's novel "Pachinko." The series received positive reviews and critical acclaim upon its release, with Lee's performance in the standalone episode, Chapter 7, garnering particular praise from Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Collider, and other media outlets. The episode was included in their lists of Best TV Episodes of 2022, showcasing Lee's talent and versatility on an international stage. In 2023, Gong Ryong starred in the drama series "Ask the Stars".
Lee Min-ho is currently single and not involved in any romantic relationships. It seems that he is prioritizing his career and personal growth at this time, choosing to dedicate his time and energy to his work projects. Being a popular and highly sought-after actor, it's not uncommon for celebrities like Lee Min-ho to focus on their professional endeavors and put their personal lives on hold. Fans of Lee Min-ho continue to support him in his career endeavors and eagerly await his upcoming projects, while respecting his decision to remain single and focused on his craft. His sexual orientation is straight and he is not gay.
Lee Min-ho has had a series of high-profile relationships in the past. In 2011, he dated actress Park Min-young, whom he grew close to while filming City Hunter. However, their relationship didn't last long, and they decided to part ways due to their busy schedules. In 2013, there were rumors of an affair with actress Kim Hee-sun, which sparked controversy as she was already married. Shortly after, Lee Min-ho dated Park Shin-hye, his co-star from the drama The Heirs. Their relationship developed while working together on the project. From 2015 to 2017, Lee was in a highly publicized relationship with singer Bae Suzy. He had long admired her and finally started dating her after multiple attempts. However, their relationship faced difficulties, and they eventually broke up in March 2017, with rumors of infidelity on Suzy's part. During this time, there were also reports of the couple planning to move to Hollywood for future projects. In 20221, he was rumored to be dating Yeonwoo.
Lee Min Ho, the acclaimed South Korean actor, is undeniably one of the wealthiest Korean actors to date, boasting a net worth of $10 million. Renowned for his talent and charm, he commands an impressive fee of approximately $78,700 per scene, contributing significantly to his annual income in the millions of dollars. With the entertainment industry as his primary source of wealth, Lee Min Ho currently revels in a lavish lifestyle befitting his success. Lee Min Ho's financial prowess extends beyond his acting career, as he rakes in a staggering US$2.5 million from product endorsements alone. Recognized for his influential presence, he has become the face of numerous renowned brands, including LG, Bang Bang, Binggrae Banana Milk, Kia Motors, Eider, Etude House, Romanson Watches, Twosome Place, Semir, Lotte Duty-Free, Ferrero Rocher Chocolates, Jeju Air, Samsonite Red (with Kim Jisoo of Black Pink), Luwak White Koffie, Korean Tourism, and Kumho Tires. Demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit, Lee Min Ho launched his own YouTube channel, "leeminho film," where he assumes the roles of executive producer and creative director, further expanding his ventures beyond acting.
Lee Min-ho, a charismatic actor, possesses an impressive physical presence with his body stats. He has a slim build and stands tall at 6 ft 1½ in or 186 cm. Lee maintains a weight of 79 kg or 174 lbs, complementing his lean physique. His striking features include his black hair and dark brown eyes, which enhance his overall appeal. With his distinctive slight body frame, Lee captivates audiences with his commanding presence on-screen. In 2006, he was involved in a serious accident while traveling with actor Jung Il-woo. He couldn’t move for the initial months and had to stay in the hospital for nearly a month. Lee Min-ho, being committed to his fitness, worked with a personal trainer to develop a specific workout regimen for his role in City Hunter. This plan aimed to increase muscle mass and enhance his already well-toned physique. He dedicated himself to lifting heavyweights and followed a split body workout routine. In his regular gym sessions, Lee focuses on high-intensity exercises to maintain his fitness and achieve his defined physique. Additionally, he incorporates skiing and wrestling into his fitness routine to stay active and engaged. Regarding his diet, Lee adopts a balanced approach, believing in moderation rather than strict deprivation. He does not restrict himself from enjoying any particular food and maintains a mindful approach to his eating habits.
At the initial stages of his acting journey, the beloved Korean heartthrob was commonly known as Lee Min. However, due to the name's overlapping meaning of "immigration" in Korean, his devoted fans encountered difficulties locating him online. To address this issue, Lee Min made a swift decision and reverted to using his birth name, Minho, allowing his fans to easily find and connect with him. This adjustment ensured a smoother online presence and solidified his identity as Lee Min Ho in the entertainment industry.
In 2006, Lee Min Ho, along with actor Jung Il Woo and two other friends, experienced a harrowing accident that proved to be fatal for the two individuals involved. Thankfully, both Lee Min Ho and Jung Il Woo managed to survive, although Lee Min Ho endured a month-long coma as a result. Unfortunately, Lee Min Ho encountered another car accident while filming City Hunter in 2011. The collision involved a truck, causing severe damage to the front of the vehicle. Witnesses marveled at the fact that Lee Min Ho miraculously survived this second accident, considering the extent of the destruction.
Renowned Korean actor, Lee Min Ho, once had a deep passion for soccer and aspired to become a professional player. Tragically, a school-related injury dashed his dreams, forcing him to abandon his pursuit of a soccer career. Despite this setback, Lee Min Ho's love for the game persisted, and he expressed in an interview with DramaFever that if acting was not his path, he would likely have ventured into the realm of professional gaming or even sought employment within a game company.
In addition to his acting prowess, Lee Min Ho possesses a hidden talent for singing. During his downtime from shooting, he can often be found immersing himself in the studio, lending his melodious voice to various musical endeavors. Notably, in one of his most beloved Korean dramas, 'Boys Over Flowers,' he contributed to the Original Soundtrack with his song titled 'My Everything,' which became a hit among fans. Furthermore, in the drama 'The Heirs,' Lee Min Ho showcased his singing abilities once again with the heartfelt track 'Painful Love.' These musical endeavors highlight the versatility and artistic range of this multi-talented actor.
During an interview, Lee Min Ho faced a hypothetical scenario where he was asked whom he would rescue first if fellow actors Kim Rae Won, Kim Woo Bin, or Jung Il Woo were drowning. To everyone's surprise, Lee Min Ho responded with a touch of humor, confessing that he cannot swim, thus implying his inability to rescue anyone in such a situation. This lighthearted remark showcased Lee Min Ho's candid nature and added a playful twist to the hypothetical scenario.