PERSONAL INFORMATION
Other Name: Lee Min [1] Asia Gyeong-je
Nickname(s): • Hallyu Prince [2] Daily Sports Note: Hallyu means Korean Wave, which indicates the worldwide rise in popularity of Korean culture, through Korean Dramas and Kpop, since the 1990s. • King of Social Media [3] The Star Note: Lee Min-ho became the first South Korean celebrity to surpass 20 million followers on Instagram in October 2019, which is why he was given the title.
Profession(s): Actor, Model, Singer, Creative Director, Entrepreneur
Agency: • MYM Entertainment • One Other Before MYM Entertainment
Date of Birth: June 22, 1987 (Monday)
Age (as of 2022): 35 Years
Birthplace: Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Zodiac sign: Cancer
Nationality: South Korean
Hometown: Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Food Habit: Non-Vegetarian [10] Lee Min-ho – Instagram
EDUCATION
School: • Seoul Namseong Elementary School, Seoul • Banpo Middle School, Seoul • Danggok High School, Seoul
College/University: • Konkuk University, Seoul • Kookmin University, Seoul
Educational Qualification(s): • Bachelor’s in Film & Arts from Konkuk University [6] Asiae Gyeong-je • Master’s in Film & Arts from Kookmin University [7] Hanryu Times
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
[4]Lee Min-ho’s Official WebsiteHeight: in centimeters – 187 cm in meters – 1.87 m in feet & inches – 6’ 1½”
[5]Lee Min-ho’s Official WebsiteWeight: in kilograms – 73 kg in pounds – 161 lbs
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status: Unmarried
Affairs/Girlfriends: • He dated a girl in his school days. • Park Min-young (South Korean actress): They both began dating in 2011. Eight months after their relationship was made public (in 2011), they separated, citing their busy schedule led to it. • Park Shin-hye (South Korean actress): After the Kdrama ‘Heirs’ (2013) was released, people liked Shin-hye’s and Min-ho’s on-screen chemistry, which led to the rumor that they were dating in real life. Neither of the actors’ agencies confirmed the rumor. • Bae Suzy (South Korean actress & singer): In March 2015, rumors started that Min-ho was dating Suzy. Their several pictures of going out on dates began circulating. Soon, the agencies of the actors confirmed that the rumors were true. In September 2015, their breakup rumors started, which were denied by the actors’ agency. In November 2017, the actors announced that they had separated. • Seolhyun (South Korean actress and singer and member of the girl group AOA): There were rumors of him dating Seolhyun, who had worked with him in the South Korean film ‘Gangnam Blues.’ • Taylor Swift (American singer and songwriter): There were rumors of Min-ho dating Swift in 2016, but they were denied by Lee’s agency. • Kim Go-eun (South Korean actress): When Kim and Lee starred in the Kdrama ‘The King: Eternal Monarch’ (2020), they began posting several pictures with each other, which led to speculations of them dating each other. • Yeonwoo (South Korean actress and singer and also a member of the South Korean girl group Momoland formerly): Their dating rumors began spreading in August 2021, which was denied by both the actors’ agencies.
Wife/Spouse: N/A
Parents: Names Not Known
Siblings: Brother – None Sister – Lee Yong-jung (the CEO of MYM Entertainment)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Debut: Acting TV (South Korean): Sharp (2003) as ‘Lee Jin-ho’ (an art academy student) Film (South Korean): Public Enemy Returns (2008) as ‘Jung Ha-yeon’ Film (Chinese-South Korean-Hong Kong): Bounty Hunters (2016) as ‘Yi San’ TV (American-South Korean): Pachinko (2022) as ‘Koh Hansu’ (a Zainichi Korean merchant and fish broker from Osaka, Japan, who visits Busan, South Korea, regularly and is a member of Yakuza, the largest transnational organized crime syndicate in Japan) Singing Single: Extreme (2009); he sang the song with South Korean singer Jessi. OST: My Everything from Boys Over Flowers (2009) EP (Korean): My Everything (2013); peaked at 5 on Korean charts EP (Japanese): My Everything (2013); peaked at 11 on Japanese charts Single Album: The Day (2015); peaked at 6 on Korean charts
Awards, Honors, Achievements: Baeksang Arts Awards • Most Popular Actor – Film for ‘Gangnam Blues’ in 2015 • iQiyi Star Award in 2015 • Best New Actor – Television for ‘Boys Over Flowers’ in 2009 Weibo Movie Award • Weibo Movie Award for Most Anticipated Action Comedy Actor for ‘Bounty Hunters’ in 2016 • Asian Movie Pioneer for ‘Bounty Hunters’ in 2016 KBS Drama Awards • Best New Actor for ‘Boys Over Flowers’ in 2009 • Best Couple Award (with Ku Hye-sun) for ‘Boys Over Flowers’ in 2009 Korea Drama Awards • Top Excellence Award, Actor for ‘City Hunter’ in 2011 • Hallyu Star Award for ‘City Hunter’ in 2011 SBS Drama Awards • Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Fantasy/Romance Drama for ‘The King: Eternal Monarch’ in 2020 • Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Fantasy Drama for ‘The Legend of the Blue Sea’ in 2016 • Best Couple (with Jun Ji-hyun) for ‘The Legend of the Blue Sea’ in 2016 • Top 10 Stars Award for ‘The Legend of the Blue Sea’ in 2016 • Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special for ‘The Heirs’ in 2013 • Popularity Award, Actor for ‘The Heirs’ in 2013 • Top 10 Stars for ‘The Heirs’ in 2013 • Best Couple Award with Park Shin-hye for ‘The Heirs’ in 2013 • Best Dressed for ‘The Heirs’ in 2013 • Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries for ‘Faith’ in 2012 • Top 10 Stars for ‘Faith’ in 2012 • Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Drama Special for ‘City Hunter’ in 2011 • Popularity Award, Actor for ‘City Hunter’ in 2011 • Top 10 Stars for ‘City Hunter’ in 2011 Seoul International Drama Awards • 10th Anniversary Hallyu Achievement Award in 2015 • Mango TV Popularity Award in 2015 Drama Fever Awards • Best Actor for ‘The Heirs’ in 2014 • Best Drama Award for ‘The Heirs’ in 2014 • Best Bromance Award (Friendship) (with Kim Woo-bin) for ‘The Heirs’ in 2014 • Best Actor for ‘Faith’ in 2013 • Best Kiss Award (with Kim Hee-sun) for ‘Faith’ in 2013 Soompi Awards • Male Actor of the Year for ‘Legend of the Blue Sea’ in 2017 • Spot-on Best Couple (with Jun Ji-hyun) for ‘Legend of the Blue Sea’ in 2017 Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 • Placed 31 in 2013 • Placed 16 in 2021 Other Awards & Honors • Selected as Most Favoured Korean Actor US fans of Korean Wave in 2017 • LeTV Awards for Most Popular Asian Idol Award in 2016 • Blue Dragon Film Awards – Popularity Award for ‘Gangnam Blues’ in 2015 • Korea Brand of the Year – Daesang (Hallyu Star) in 2015 • Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival – Producer’s Choice Award in 2015 • Grand Bell Awards for Best New Actor for ‘Gangnam Blues’ in 2015 • Baidu Feidian Awards for ‘Best Asian Actor’ for the Kdrama ‘The Heirs’ in 2015 • Korea Brand Stars – Daesang (Grand Prize) in 2015 • Korea SNS Industry Grand Award – in 2015 • Korean Tourism Awards for The STAR of Korean Tourism 2015 • Voted Asian Male God on a Chinese Entertainment magazine poll in 2014 & 2015 • Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards – Prime Minister’s Commendation in 2014 • China Xingxiang Awards – Asia’s Most Popular Award for ‘The Heirs’ in 2013 • Sohu Media Award for Most Popular International Actor in 2013 • China Fashion Awards for Most Popular Asian Actor for ‘The Heirs’ in 2013 • MBC Drama Awards – Excellence Award, Actor for ‘Personal Taste’ in 2010 • MTN Broadcast Advertisement Festival for Most Popular Advertisement Model in 2009
MONEY FACTOR
Car Collection: • Mercedes-Benz CLS • Genesis G90
Salary: US$ 80,000 per episode for a series (as of 2021); he is one of the highest-paid South Korean actors [13] Lifestyle Asia
OTHER INFORMATION
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Black
Descent: 42nd descendant of the Lee clan from Gyeongju [8] Tistory Note: The clan was founded by Yi Al-pyeong (李謁平) who is credited as one of the six village headmen to enthrone Park Hyeokgeose as the first King of Silla.
Blood Group: A [9] Lee Min-ho’s Official Website
Hobbies: Playing Computer and Mobile Games, Watching Films and Television Series
Football Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Actor(s): Edward Norton, Leonardo DiCaprio , Kim Su-Ro
Film: A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Book: The Gift by Spencer Johnson
Color(s): Navy, Black, White, Gray
Properties: • Mark Hills, Heukseok-dong, Seoul: He resides in the luxury apartment in Mark Hills, also called Star’s Residency. The place is home to top South Korean celebrities like Hyun Bin, Jang Dong-gun, and Ko So-young, F(x)’s Krystal, Girls’ Generation’s Jessica Jung, and Big Bang’s Daesung. [14] Metro.Style • Seongbuk-dong, Seoul: He owns two houses in Seongbuk-dong. The houses have an area of 740 meters² and 391,84 meters² respectively. He bought one of the houses at the whopping price of 5.35 billion won in September 2018. [15] Sky E Daily • Nonhyeon Lapolium, Nonhyeon, Gangnam-gu, Seoul: The place is famously called Star Villa. He owns a luxury apartment and a penthouse (which he bought in 2015 for 5 billion won) in the villa. One of the apartments is rented out to a person. [16] Chosun Biz
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Lee Min-ho, a celebrated figure in the South Korean entertainment landscape, is not only an actor but also a model, singer, creative director, and entrepreneur. He ascended to fame with his unforgettable portrayal of ‘Gu Jun-pyo’ in the blockbuster television series “Boys Over Flowers” (2009), a role that catapulted him into household name status. His impressive portfolio includes a string of popular dramas such as “City Hunter” (2011), “The Heirs” (2013), “The Legend of the Blue Sea” (2016), and “The King: Eternal Monarch” (2020), each showcasing his diverse acting skills and ability to connect with audiences both in South Korea and abroad.
Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Lee Min-ho harbored dreams of becoming a football player during his childhood. He even pursued this ambition by attending the prestigious soccer classes of South Korean manager Cha Bum-kun, a rare opportunity for many young athletes. Unfortunately, an injury in the fifth grade forced him to abandon his soccer dreams. It wasn’t until high school that Min-ho discovered his passion for acting, leading him to undertake formal acting lessons in his second year. His journey into the world of entertainment was further influenced by his long-standing friendship with fellow actor Jung Il-woo, as they both navigated their early lives in close proximity to one another.
As Min-ho transitioned from student to burgeoning talent, he began receiving casting offers during his school days. His modeling career took off serendipitously when he met the president of his former agency while working on a magazine shoot. This pivotal meeting set the stage for his career in acting, leading him to enroll at Konkuk University and vigorously audition for roles in film and television. After a series of minor appearances in dramas such as “Sharp” (2003) and “Recipe of Love” (2005), he secured his first significant role in the youth drama “Secret Campus” (2006), where he played a thoughtful student grappling with personal challenges.
Tragedy struck in 2006 when Min-ho was involved in a severe car accident alongside friends, including Jung Il-woo. The collision left two of his friends dead and resulted in significant injuries for both Min-ho and Il-woo. This life-altering experience led to a long recovery period, during which Min-ho was forced to forgo two television series he had signed up for. However, resilience marked his path, as he bounced back in 2007 with his first lead role in the SBS drama “Mackerel Run,” portraying a once-prominent soccer player trying to reclaim his passion for the sport. Following this breakthrough, his career flourished, with notable performances in subsequent dramas, leading to numerous accolades and widespread recognition in the entertainment industry.
Beyond his successful career, Lee Min-ho has shown a commitment to social causes, serving as an honorary ambassador for UNICEF and other charitable organizations. He has also garnered numerous accolades for his philanthropic efforts, including the Happiness Sharing Award from the Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea. His influence extends across various platforms, as he launched his YouTube channel “Leeminho Film” in 2020, where he continues to engage with fans and showcase his creative endeavors. With a legacy built on talent, resilience, and compassion, Lee Min-ho remains a pivotal figure in both the entertainment industry and the hearts of many.
—
Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.