South Korean actor Lee Min Ho, with his undeniable charm, has made most of the movies and dramas he has starred in global household names. As the ‘rom-kom’ king continues to entertain and seduce viewers with an array of characters, let’s revisit some of the most popular on-screen works of Lee.
Masterfully covering action and historical genres as well, Lee Min Ho has delivered some of the best and highest-rated Korean dramas and movies in the last few years. The actor became the nation’s heartthrob with his role as Gu Jun-Pyo in Boys Over Flowers (2009), a series based on the Japanese shōjo manga Hana Yori Dango (1992 -2002) written and illustrated by Yoko Kamio.
The show’s high viewership ratings across South Korea opened greater opportunities for Lee. He also earned the Best New Actor title at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards for the role. Today, Lee is one of the highest-paid actors in Korea, and he continues to score high-profile and even higher budget roles, alongside fashion endorsements like BOSS.
Not just that. Such is his acclaim that the Heirs star is the first Korean actor to get a wax figure at the Madame Tussauds Shanghai Museum, as per Soompi.
Another feather to his cap is his 2022 release Pachinko season 1. The Apple TV+ series received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. It also won the Best Foreign Language Series title at the 28th Critics Choice Awards in 2023. Season 2 of the show premiered worldwide on Apple TV+ on 23 August 2024.
These best Lee Min Ho movies and dramas will keep you hooked
Jump To / Table of Contents
- 1 Pachinko (2022-)
- 2 The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)
- 3 The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016-2017)
- 4 Bounty Hunters (2016)
- 5 Gangnam Blues (2015)
- 6 The Heirs (Inheritors) (2013)
- 7 City Hunter (2011)
- 8 Personal Taste (2010)
- 9 Boys Over Flowers (2009)
- 10 Get Up (2008)
1 /10
Pachinko (2022-)
Directed by: Kogonada and Justin Chon
Other stars: Jung Yuh-Youn, Ha Jin, Kim Minha
Episodes in season 1: 8
Episodes in season 2: 8
Synopsis: The drama chronicles the struggle of a Korean immigrant family across four generations as they leave their country after the Japanese colonisation. The story is told through the eyes of Sunja (Jung), who fights against all odds to keep her family alive.
About the show: Pachinko is adapted from Min Jin Lee’s 2017 epic historical novel of the same name, which was also included in the 2017 list of 10 best books by the New York Times.
(Image: Courtesy Lee Min Ho/Twitter)
Directed by: Baek Sang-hoon and Jung Ji-hyun
Other stars: Kim Go-Eun, Woo Do-Hwan, Lee Hong-Nae
Episodes: 16
Synopsis: As the third monarch of his generation, the disciplined ruler of the Kingdom of Corea, Lee Gon (Lee Min-Ho) loses his focus after his father’s death. Soon, Gon leaves the palace to escape his duties and mysteriously ends up in a parallel world where he meets police inspector Jeong Tae-Eul (Kim). The latter promises to help Gon close the door between the two worlds and in return, Gon helps her deal with criminals. In fulfilling their respective roles, the two end up falling for each other.
(Image: Courtesy Lee Min Ho/Twitter)
Created by: Jin Hyuk and Park Ji-eun
Other stars: Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Hee-joon, Shin Won-ho
Episodes: 20
Synopsis: The story revolves around a mermaid, Shim Cheong (Jun) and her human lover, Kim Moon (Lee Min Ho), from the Joseon Dynasty. Upon failing to unite with Moon, she waits years for his resurrection. In modern-day Seoul, Moon is reborn as con man Heo Joon Jae. Upon meeting Cheong, he takes a liking to her USD 6 million jade bracelet and decides to rob her. Will he recollect the memories of his past lover or will greed take over?
About the show: The show is inspired by a mermaid tale from the short-story collection Eou yadam by Joseon scholar Yu Mong-in.
( Image: Courtesy Viki)
4 /10
Bounty Hunters (2016)
Directed by: Tae-ra Shin
Other stars: Wallace Chung, Tiffany Tang, Karena Ng, Louis Fan
Synopsis: Suspended Interpol officers Li-San (Lee) and A-Yo (Chung) are falsely framed for a terrorist bombing and become wanted suspects. In order to survive, the duo join a group of bounty hunters. Eventually, they end up in a chase for USD 2 million across China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Thailand along with hunters Cat (Tang), Swan (Ng) and Bao-bao (Fan).
(Image: Courtesy IMDb)
5 /10
Gangnam Blues (2015)
Directed by: Yu Ha
Other stars: Kim Rae-won, Jung Jin-young, Seol Hyun
Synopsis: Also known as Gangnam 1970, the story revolves around two poor childhood friends Jong-Dae (Lee) and Yong-Ki (Kim) who resort to picking paper and empty bottles for living. As grown-ups, both get into different Mafia gangs and soon find themselves tangled in the web of politics in Gangnam, Seoul.
About the film: Lee Min-Ho won the Most Popular Actor award for the film in the 2015 Baek Sang Art Awards.
(Image: Courtesy IMDb)
Created by: Kang Shin-hyo and Kim Eun-sook
Other stars: Park Shin-hye, Kim Woo-bin, Park Hyung-sik, Kim Ji-won
Episodes: 20
Synopsis: This is a love story between Kim Tan (Lee), the rich heir to the Empire Group and his housekeeper’s daughter Go Eun-Sang (Park Shin-hye). After a chance meeting in the US, the two come across each other while attending Jejuk, a school for rich heirs in Korea. Tan soon falls for transfer student Eun-Sang and breaks off his engagement with Rachel Yoo (Kim Ji-won). However, the road to love seems difficult as Kim’s nemesis Choi Young-Do (Kim Woo-bin) takes an interest in Eun-Sang.
(Image: Courtesy IMDb)
7 /10
City Hunter (2011)
Directed by: Jin Hyeok
Other stars: Park Min-young, Lee Joon-hyuk, Kim Sang-joong, Park Sang-min (cameo)
Episodes: 20
Synopsis: Lee Yun-Seong (Lee Min Ho) is an MIT graduate, working with the international communications team in the Blue House. However, his prime focus is to take revenge on five politicians who are responsible for his father Park Moo-yul’s (Park Sang-min) death. Yun-Seong is helped in the mission by his father’s best friend Lee Jin-pyo (Kim).
About the show: This South Korean drama is based on the Japanese manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo.
(Image: Courtesy Lee Minho/Instagram; Park Minyoung/Instagram)
8 /10
Personal Taste (2010)
Directed by: Son Hyeong-seok and No Jong-chan
Other stars: Kim Ji-suk, Wang Ji-hye, Son Ye-jin
Episodes: 16
Synopsis: The story revolves around a curious Jeon Jin-ho (Lee) who pretends to be gay in order to gain the experience of living with a woman before falling in love. In a turn of events, Park Gae-in (Son), a woman unlucky in love, becomes his roommate.
About the show: One of the most popular Korean TV shows, Personal Taste is inspired by the 2007 novel Gaeinui Chwihyang by Lee Sae-In.
(Image: Courtesy Viki)
9 /10
Boys Over Flowers (2009)
Created by: Jeon Ki-sang and Yoon Ji-ryun
Other stars: Ku Hye-sun, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Beom, Kim Joon
Episodes: 25
Synopsis: This high school story revolves around four rich kids known as Flower Boys aka “F4”. Soon, their tsundere leader Gu Jun-Pyo (Lee), the heir to world-leading conglomerate Shinhwa, starts dating the poor Geum Jan-Di (Ku). However, his powerful family vehemently opposes their relationship and plots to separate the two. Meanwhile, Jun-Pyo vows to be with Jan-Di for life.
(Image: Courtesy Viki)
10 /10
Get Up (2008)
Directed by: Lee Jae-dong
Other stars: Rhyme, Lee Ah-jin
Synopsis: Two rival high school students Wook-Gi (Lee) and Doo-Heon (Rhyme) get into a fight and are severely punished for the same. Soon, circumstances lead the two to sort out their differences, and they end up going on a road trip together.
About the movie: The movie is written by Ko Eun-Nim, who is known for hits like Bungee Jumping of Their Own (2001) and Heaven’s Garden (2011).
(Image: Courtesy Lee Minho/Instagram)
(Hero and featured image: Courtesy Lee Min Ho/Twitter)
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most handsome Korean actor?
Some of the most handsome Korean actors are Lee Min Ho, Park Seo-joon, Kim Soo-hyun, Hyun Bin, Oh Jung-se and Kim Hyun-joong.
Who is the most famous actor in Korea?
Some of the most famous Korean actors include Ahn Hyo-seop, Song Joong-ki, Lee Min Ho, Park Bogum, Park Seo-joon, Kim Soo-hyun and Hyun Bin.
Who has Lee Min Ho dated?
According to various media reports, Lee Min Ho has previously dated MOMOLAND's member Yeonwoo, 'City Hunter' co-star Park Min-young and singer Bae Suzy.
Who is Lee Min Ho's girlfriend?
As per various sources, Lee Min Ho is currently single.
Tags
South Korean Netflix korean dramas Lee Min-ho K-dramas korean actors
