Lee Min-ho

Screen name: 이민호 / Lee Min-ho
Legal name: 이민호 / Lee Min-ho
Profession: Actor, singer
Birthdate: June 22, 1987
Birthplace: Heukseok-dong, Dongjak District, Seoul
Height: 187cm
Star sign: Cancer
Blood type: A

Links

@actorleeminho
@leeminhofilm
Lee Min-ho
Lee Min-ho
Lee Min-ho

• Lee Minho initially used the stage name Lee Min at the beginning of his acting career. However, the name Lee Min also means “immigration” in Korean, which caused some confusion among fans when searching for him online. Consequently, he switched back to using his real name, Lee Min-ho, shortly after.

• Over the years, Lee Min-ho has garnered several nicknames from fans and the media. One is Minomi, a cute and affectionate nickname derived from his name. Fans often use it to express their fondness for him. . 

• Lee Min-ho’s fans are known as Minoz. This fan club name is a combination of “Min-ho” and “z,” symbolizing the fans who support him. The term Minoz is used by fans worldwide to show their loyalty and admiration for the actor.

• In 2006, Lee Min-ho was involved in a serious car accident with fellow actor Jung Il-woo, resulting in critical injuries that left him comatose for a month and bedridden for several months. He sustained broken ribs, thigh, and ankle bones, requiring almost a year of hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation.

• Lee Min-ho is ambidextrous, meaning he can use both his left and right hands with equal skill. He broke his right arm when he was young and learned to use his left, and can still write and draw with both hands.

• Lee Min-ho has a pet named Choco, a mini pinscher. Lee Min-ho likes to post photos of Choco on Instagram.

Lee Min-ho’s family background is quite private, and not much is publicly known about his parents’ names or occupations. However, it is known that he was raised by Buddhist parents and is the younger of two children. His father is reported to be a businessman who prefers to stay out of the public eye.

Lee Min-ho has an older sister named Lee Yun Jeong. She is reported to be the co-founder and CEO of his current agency MYM Entertainment.

Photo credit: ForeverNoona

Seoul Namseong Elementary School
Year Founded: 1967
Address: 57-14 Sadang-ro 23-gil, Dongjak District, Seoul, South Korea

Banpo Middle School
Year Founded: 1975
Address: 67 Sinbanpo-ro, Seocho District, Seoul, South Korea

Danggok High School
Year Founded: 1984
Address: 108 Bongcheon-ro 21-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Konkuk University
Year Founded: 1946
Address: 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin District, Seoul, South Korea

Major: Film and Art

Lee Min-ho began his mandatory military service on May 12, 2017. He served as a public service worker at the Gangnam District Office due to injuries he sustained from a serious car accident in 2006. He started his service in a public role and later transferred to the army training center to receive basic military training. Lee Min-ho was officially discharged from the military on April 25, 2019.

Park Min-young (August 2011 – January 2012)

Lee Min-ho and actress Park Min-young began dating after co-starring in the drama “City Hunter.” Their relationship lasted for several months before they amicably parted ways.

Bae Suzy (March 2015 – November 2017)

Lee Min-ho and singer-actress  Bae Suzy’s relationship was highly publicized. They confirmed their relationship in March 2015 and dated for almost three years before breaking up in November 2017.

In August 2021, it was reported that Lee Min-ho was dating former MOMOLAND member Yeonwoo. Their agencies denied the rumor.

The dating rumors surrounding Lee Min Ho and Kim Go-eun, who starred together in the 2020 K-Drama The King: Eternal Monarch, have persisted for quite some time. However, neither Lee Min-ho’s nor Kim Go-eun’s agencies have confirmed or denied their relationship.

Kim Bum, Jung Il-woo, and Lee Min-ho

• Date Released: May 2002

• In the 2002 South Korean television drama series Romance, Lee Min-ho played the role of a troubled student who is taught by the character Kim Chae-Won.

• In this role, Lee Min-ho only spoke one line, a testament to his humble beginnings before rising to fame with major roles in later years.

• Date Released: November 28, 2003

• Lee Min-ho played the role of Lee Jin-ho in the South Korean youth drama series Sharp (also known as Sharp 1). Lee Min-ho portrayed a high school student navigating the challenges and experiences of teenage life, including friendship, romance, and personal growth.

• Date Released: 2004

• In the South Korean sitcom Nonstop 5, which aired from 2004 to 2005, Lee Min-ho played the role of himself in a guest appearance. Nonstop is a popular long-running sitcom series that features a rotating cast of young actors and focuses on their comedic adventures and misadventures in college.

• Date Released: May 14, 2005

• In the South Korean short film Recipe of Love, Lee Min-ho played the role of a waiter. His character is a charming and attentive waiter who becomes part of the heartwarming narrative centered around love and food.

• Date Released: May 10, 2006

• In the South Korean television drama Secret Campus, Lee Min-ho played the role of Park Du-hyun. Park Du-hyun, is one of the students at the school, and his storyline explores the challenges and experiences typical of teenage life.

• Secret Campus is notable for featuring several actors who would go on to become big names in Korean entertainment, including Park Bo-young and Lee Min-ho.

• Date Released: May 12, 2007

• In the 2007 South Korean television drama Mackerel Run, Lee Min-ho played the lead role of Cha Gong-chan, a spirited high school student passionate about soccer who transfers to a prestigious school on a scholarship. Despite facing numerous challenges and conflicts with peers and authorities, Gong-chan remains optimistic and resilient, often finding himself in humorous and unpredictable situations.

• Trivia: This project was Lee Min-ho’s first leading role in a TV series. The show was cut short due to low ratings, with only 8 out of the originally planned 24 episodes aired.

• Date Released: August 6, 2007

• In the 2007 South Korean television drama I Am Sam, Lee Min-ho played the role of Heo Mo-se. Heo Mo-se is one of the students at the school and part of the supporting cast. Though not a central character, Heo Mo-se adds depth to the high school environment portrayed in the drama.

• Date Released: February 24, 2008

• Lee Min-ho portrayed the character Min Wook-gi in the South Korean television movie Get Up. The story revolves around high school students and their educational struggles, with Min Wook-gi finding himself in trouble after a fight, leading to a series of events that highlight the challenges faced by adolescents in schools.

• Date Released: June 19, 2008

• In the 2008 South Korean film Public Enemy Returns, Lee Min-ho played the role of Jung Ha-yeon. The film is the third installment in the “Public Enemy” series, directed by Kang Woo-suk. It follows the story of Kang Chul-jung, a grizzled detective known for his unorthodox methods, as he takes on a new case involving corrupt business practices and murder. Jung Ha-yeon is a high school student who becomes entangled in the case.

• Date Released: September 11, 2008

• In the South Korean comedy-drama film Our School’s E.T., Lee Min-ho portrayed the character Oh Sang-hoon. The movie follows the story of a quirky high school physical education teacher who faces a crisis when his job is threatened by a new school policy prioritizing English education over gym class. Lee Min-ho’s role as Oh Sang-hoon added to the dynamic ensemble of characters in this heartwarming and humorous tale of perseverance and transformation.

• Date Released: January 5, 2009

• In the iconic South Korean television series Boys Over Flowers, Lee Min-ho played the role of Gu Jun-pyo, the wealthy and headstrong leader of the elite group known as F4. Gu Jun-pyo is characterized as spoiled, rich, and accustomed to getting his way. His life takes an unexpected turn when he falls for Jan-di, the ‘Laundry Girl,’ after she transfers to their high school. The series is filled with drama, including arranged marriages, intense rivalries, and the classic amnesia trope. The series is based on the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango.

• Trivia: Lee Min Ho auditioned for the role along with hundreds of other actors, and  found out about his casting through a newspaper. Boys Over Flowers is an important milestone in Lee Min-ho’s career. His portrayal of Jun-pyo won the hearts of viewers and contributed significantly to the spread of the “Korean Wave” across Asia and solidifying his status as a leading actor in the Korean entertainment.

• Date released: April 9, 2009

• Lee Min-ho’s single Extreme, featuring Jessica H.O., was a bold foray into the music scene for the actor. The track was part of a digital single that marked Lee Min-ho’s musical debut. The song was accompanied by a music video that doubled as a commercial for Cass Beer, further solidifying Lee Min-ho’s status as a versatile entertainer.

• Date released: September 2009

• In the music video for Kiss by Sandara Park, Lee Min-ho portrayed a wealthy playboy who unexpectedly kisses Sandara’s character, a DJ, as part of a bet. This bold move leads to a public slap from Sandara’s character, setting the stage for a narrative of revenge and romantic tension.

• Trivia: The video, which also served as a commercial for Cass Beer, gained notoriety not only for its storyline but also for the fact that the kiss scene was retaken 50 times, a detail Sandara Park humorously attributed to her inexperience at the time.

• Date released: March 31, 2010

• In the South Korean television drama based on a novel by Lee Se-in, Personal Taste, Lee Min-ho played the role of Jeon Jin-ho, an ambitious and talented architect who pretends to be gay so he can move in with Park Kae-in (played by Son Ye-jin), a woman who is looking for a gay roommate to share her home, Sanggojae. His goal is to gain insights into the unique design of Sanggojae, which is the key to winning an architecture project.

• Date released: May 25, 2011

• In the 2011 South Korean television drama City Hunter, Lee Min-ho played the role of Lee Yoon-sung. Lee Yoon-sung is a highly skilled operative who works in the Blue House, South Korea’s presidential residence, as an IT expert. Raised and trained by his adoptive father, Lee Jin-pyo (played by Kim Sang-joong), Yoon-sung is on a mission to exact revenge on the five politicians responsible for a covert operation that led to the death of his biological father.

• Trivia: The series was adapted from a based on the Japanese manga of the same name by Tsukasa Hojo, but significantly differed from the original plot.

• Date released: August 13, 2012

• In the 2012 South Korean television drama Faith (also known as The Great Doctor), Lee Min-ho played the role of Choi Young. Choi Young is a legendary warrior and the captain of the royal guard during the Goryeo Dynasty. He is depicted as a stoic, brave, and skilled swordsman who commands great respect and loyalty from his men. Despite his fearsome reputation, Choi Young harbors a deep-seated desire for a peaceful and simple life, free from the constant turmoil of political conflicts.

• Date released: May 22, 2013

• Lee Min-ho released his debut album, My Everything, on May 22, 2013. The album features a collection of seven tracks, showcasing a mix of pop and ballad genres, highlighting his vocal abilities alongside his established acting career. My Everything was well-received by fans, further cementing his popularity not only as an actor but also as a singer.

• Date released: October 9, 2013

• In the 2013 South Korean television drama The Heirs (also known as The Inheritors), Lee Min-ho played the lead role of Kim Tan, the heir to the Jeguk Group conglomerate. Sent to study in the U.S. to keep him away from family power struggles, Kim Tan’s life changes when he meets and falls in love with Cha Eun-sang (played by Park Shin-hye), a hardworking and ordinary girl. Upon returning to South Korea, he faces opposition due to their differing social standings.

• Trivia: The drama’s international broadcasting rights were sold to 13 countries due to its star-studded cast and the reputation of writer Kim Eun-sook. It had the highest selling price in Japan among all the 2013 Korean dramas, at US$30,000 per episode. By January 26, 2014, The Heirs had garnered more than one billion views on Youku, China’s biggest video streaming site.

• Date released: December 4, 2013

• “Painful Love,” an original soundtrack for the drama “The Heirs,” is a heartfelt ballad sung by Lee Min-ho. The song captures the deep emotions of his character, Kim Tan, as he navigates the complexities of love and sacrifice.

• Date released: May 9, 2014

• In the web series Line Romance, Lee Min-ho plays the character Min-ho, a talented music producer who finds himself struggling with writer’s block. The story unfolds as Min-ho meets Ling Ling, a Chinese tourist played by Kuo Bea-ting, during a walk. Inspired by Ling Ling, Min-ho makes a whimsical decision that leads to a series of romantic and comedic events. Due to a language barrier, the two communicate through the mobile messaging app LINE, which adds a modern twist to their budding relationship.

• Date released: October 10, 2014

• Lee Min-ho’s single Song for You was released as part of his promotional activities following the success of his drama The Heirs. The song, which is a heartfelt ballad, reflects his emotional and vocal range, offering fans a personal touch to his musical endeavors.

• 2015 Baeksang Arts Awards
  Nominated – Best New Actor – Film
  Won – Most Popular Actor – Film
  Won – iQiyi Star Award

• 2015 Blue Dragon Film Awards
  Nominated – Best New Actor
  Won – Popularity Award

• 2015 Fashionista Awards
  Nominated – Best Fashionista

• 2015 Grand Bell Awards
  Nominated – Popularity Award
  Won – Best New Actor

• 2015 Max Movie Awards
  Nominated – Best New Actor

• 2015 Korean Association of Film Critics Awards
  Nominated – Best New Actor

• 2015 Seoul International Drama Awards
  Won – 10th Anniversary Hallyu Achievement Award
  Won – Mango TV Popularity Award

• Date released: May 22, 2015

• Lee Min-ho starred in Innisfree Summer Love, a promotional web series produced by the South Korean cosmetics brand Innisfree. It features Lee Min-ho and Yoona, both brand ambassadors, in a charming love story set against the picturesque backdrop of Jeju Island.

• Date released: November 25, 2015

• Lee Min-ho released his single Thank You as a gesture of gratitude to his fans for their continuous support.

• Date released: November 25, 2015

• Lee Min-ho’s album The Day consisting of two tracks, was created as a gift for his fans and to commemorate the actor’s growing popularity and success. The title track, The Day is a sentimental ballad that showcases Lee Min-ho’s vocal abilities and heartfelt lyrics, reflecting his gratitude towards his fans. The album also includes a second track, Parade, which carries a more upbeat and celebratory tone.

• 2015 Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
  Won – Producer Choice Award

• 2015 Korea Brand Stars
  Won – Grand Prize (Daesang)

• 2015 Korea SNS Industry Grand Award
  Won – President Award of National Information Society Agency

• 2015 Korean Tourism Awards
  Won – The STAR of Korean Tourism

• 2016 Weibo Movie Award
  Won – Most Anticipated Action Comedy Actor
  Won – Asian Movie Pioneer

• Date released: November 16, 2016

• In the fantasy romance drama Legend of the Blue Sea, Lee Min-ho stars as Heo Joon-jae, a charming con artist, and Kim Dam-ryeong, a nobleman from the Joseon era. The drama intertwines these two timelines, revealing a love story that transcends centuries.

• Trivia: The series was inspired by a classic Joseon legend. It marked Lee Min-ho’s final project before his mandatory military service.

• 2016 SBS Drama Awards
  Nominated – Grand Prize (Daesang)
  Nominated – K-Wave Star Award
  Won – Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Fantasy Drama
  Won – Top 10 Stars Award
  Won – Best Couple with Jun Ji-hyun

• 2017 Annual Soompi Awards
  Won – Actor of the Year
  Won – Spot-on Best Couple with Jun Ji-hyun

• 2016 LeTV Awards
  Won – Most Popular Asian Actor Award

• Date released: December 5, 2016

• In the 2016 web series 7 First Kisses, Lee Min-ho makes a special appearance in the final episode, playing the role of a mysterious traveler who captivates the female lead, played by Lee Cho-hee. The series, produced by Lotte Duty-Free, follows the story of a woman who is given the chance to choose her perfect partner among seven attractive men, each played by a well-known Korean actor.

• 2016 Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40
  Ranked 31st on the list

• Date released: March 10, 2017

• Lee Min-ho released his single album Always on March 10, 2017. Lee Min-ho performed the title track for the first time at his fan meeting held at Kyunghee University on March 18th and 19th 2017.

• 2017 National Brand Award Grand Prize – Culture Sector.

• 2017 Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40
  Ranked 22nd on the list

• 2020 SBS Drama Awards
  Nominated – Best Couple with Kim Go-eun
  Won – Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Fantasy/Romance Drama

• 2020 APAN Star Awards
  Nominated – Popular Star Award, Actor

• 2021 Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40
  Ranked 16th on the list

• Date released: March 25, 2022

• Lee Min-ho portrays Koh Hansu in the Apple TV+ series Pachinko, based on Min Jin Lee’s novel. Hansu, an enigmatic wealthy fish broker with ties to the yakuza, significantly influences central protagonist Sunja’s life. His tragic backstory, including the loss of his father during the Great Kantō earthquake, adds depth to his anti-hero character.

• Trivia: Lee Min-ho had to audition just like everyone else to get this role, something he hasn’t done in 13 years .This role marked Lee Min-ho’s first appearance in an American production and his first villainous role.

• 2022 Gold Derby Awards
  Won – Best Drama Actor
  Won – Breakthrough Performer of the Year

• 2023 Independent Spirit Awards
  Won – Best Ensemble Cast award

• 2022 Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40
  Ranked 20th on the list

• Date released: TBA

• Ask the Stars is a South Korean television series set to release on tvN. Written by Seo Sook-hyang and directed by Park Shin-woo, the show stars Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin. It’s described as a “space romantic comedy” that revolves around the fateful encounter of a space tourist and an astronaut on a space station. Gong Ryong, an obstetrician-gynecologist with a strong sense of responsibility, arrives at the space station as a tourist, while Eve Kim, a Korean-American astronaut, plays a pivotal role in their cosmic connection.

Some memorable moments and photoshoots.