When it comes to Korean entertainment, one name that has stood the test of time is Lee Min-ho. From his breakout role in Boys Over Flowers to his recent international success in Pachinko Lee Min-ho has become a household name not just in South Korea, but across the globe. But who is the man behind the fame? Let’s take a deeper look into the life, career, and charisma of Lee Min-ho.
🎬 From Dreams of Football to the Silver Screen
Born on June 22, 1987, in Seoul, Lee Min-ho didn’t always plan on becoming an actor. As a child, he dreamed of becoming a professional football player. Unfortunately, an injury in elementary school forced him to give up sports. However, this twist of fate led him to acting — and the rest, as they say, is history.
He later graduated from Konkuk University, majoring in Film and Art, setting the stage for what would become an extraordinary career.
📺 A Career Built on Hit After Hit
Since his breakout, Lee Min-ho has starred in a series of successful dramas, each one solidifying his reputation as one of Korea's top leading men. Here's a list of his notable television series:
Korean Dramas
* Mackerel Run (2007) – Cha Gong-chan
A high school sitcom where Lee Min-ho played a soccer player who becomes an outcast after quitting the sport. ([Wikipedia][1])
* Boys Over Flowers (2009) – Gu Jun-pyo
A cultural phenomenon where Lee Min-ho portrayed the leader of the F4 group in a prestigious high school. ([Wikipedia][2])
* Personal Taste (2010) – Jeon Jin-ho
A romantic comedy where Lee Min-ho's character pretends to be gay to live with a woman, leading to unexpected romantic developments.
* City Hunter (2011) – Lee Yoon-sung
An action-packed drama where Lee Min-ho plays an IT expert seeking revenge while working undercover at the Blue House. ([Soompi][3])
* Faith(2012) – Choi Young
A historical fantasy where Lee Min-ho's character is a bodyguard in the Goryeo Dynasty who travels through time to bring a modern-day doctor back to the past. ([Wikipedia][4])
* The Heirs (2013) – Kim Tan
A drama about heirs to large conglomerates, where Lee Min-ho's character struggles with his identity and love life.
* Line Romance (2014) – Min-ho
A short web series where Lee Min-ho's character communicates with a Chinese tourist via the LINE messaging app, leading to a romantic connection. ([Wikipedia][5])
* The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016) – Heo Joon-jae / Kim Dam-ryeong
A fantasy romance where Lee Min-ho plays a con artist who meets a mermaid, leading to a love story across two timelines.([Town & Country][6])
* The King: Eternal Monarch (2020) – Emperor Lee Gon
A romantic fantasy where Lee Min-ho's character discovers a parallel world and works to protect his kingdom. ([Wikipedia][7])
* Pachinko (2022–present) – Koh Hansu
An epic saga spanning generations, where Lee Min-ho portrays a wealthy merchant entangled in the lives of a Korean-Japanese family.
* When the Stars Gossip(2025) – Gong Ryong
An upcoming series where Lee Min-ho's character is involved in a story set in space.
🎥 Lee Min-ho’s Filmography
In addition to his television roles, Lee Min-ho has appeared in several films:
* Public Enemy Returns (2008) – jung Ha-yeon
A crime action film where Lee Min-ho had a supporting role.
* Our School's E.T. (2008) – Oh Sang-hoon
A comedy about students dealing with an alien encounter.
* Gangnam Blues (2015) – Kim Jong-dae
A noir action film where Lee Min-ho plays a man caught in the political and economic turmoil of the 1970s.
* Bounty Hunters (2016) – Yi San
An action-comedy film where Lee Min-ho's character is part of a team of bounty hunters.
* Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint (2025) – Yoo Jung-hyuk
An upcoming film where Lee Min-ho stars in a lead role.
🌍 Going Global with Pachinko
In 2022 Lee Min-ho took his talent to international audiences with Apple TV+’s "Pachinko", based on the bestselling novel by Min Jin Lee. Playing the role of Hansu, he showed a different, more complex side of his acting ability — and received critical acclaim for it.
It marked a new chapter in his career: one that bridges Korean entertainment with the global stage.
💼 Beyond Acting: A Global Icon
Lee Min-ho isn’t just an actor — he’s a brand. From beauty products to luxury fashion, he’s endorsed countless major names, including Innisfree, Lotte, and Ferragamo. With over 20 million followers on both Facebook and Instagram, he’s also a certified social media powerhouse.
💖 A Glimpse into His Personal Life
Despite his fame, Lee Min-ho keeps a low profile when it comes to his private life. He has been romantically linked to a few celebrities, including singer-actress Suzy Bae, but largely stays away from public relationship drama. He also completed his mandatory military service from 2017 to 2019, serving in public duty due to previous injuries from car accidents.
🏆 Awards and Legacy
With a career spanning over two decades, Lee
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackerel_Run?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Mackerel Run"
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boys_Over_Flowers_%282009_TV_series%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Boys Over Flowers (2009 TV series)"
[3]: https://www.soompi.com/article/1399717wpp/5-k-dramas-starring-lee-min-ho-that-are-worth-the-watch?utm_source=chatgpt.com "5 K-Dramas Starring Lee Min Ho That Are Worth The Watch | Soompi"
[4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_%28South_Korean_TV_series%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Faith (South Korean TV series)"
[5]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_Romance?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Line Romance"
[6]: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/g39653046/korean-dramas-lee-min-ho-roles/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "6 Korean Dramas Starring Pachinko's Lee Min-ho — Where to Stream Lee Min-ho Shows"
[7]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King%3A_Eternal_Monarch?utm_source=chatgpt.com "The King: Eternal Monarch"
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