Lee Min-ho

Lee Min-ho is a South Korean actor, singer, and model who is one of the most recognizable and highest-paid Hallyu (Korean Wave) stars in the world. Born in Heukseok-dong, Seoul, he originally aspired to become a professional soccer player but turned to acting after an injury in high school. He studied at Konkuk University and made his acting debut in 2003 in the drama Secret Campus.

Lee’s breakthrough came in 2009 when he starred as Gu Jun-pyo in the massively popular Korean drama Boys Over Flowers, based on the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango. The drama became a pan-Asian phenomenon and catapulted Lee to superstardom across Asia. He followed this with another megahit, City Hunter (2011), and The Heirs (2013), establishing himself as Korea’s top leading man and earning the nickname ‘King of Korean Dramas.’

After completing his mandatory military service from 2017 to 2019, Lee made a highly anticipated return to television with The King: Eternal Monarch (2020) on SBS and the Apple TV+ series Pachinko (2022), which marked his English-language debut. His role in Pachinko introduced him to global audiences beyond the traditional K-drama fanbase and demonstrated his ability to perform in multilingual productions. He has also built an enormous endorsement portfolio with luxury brands including Kim Soo Hyun, Dior, and others.

Lee Min-ho’s net worth of approximately $40 million comes primarily from his acting roles, but a significant portion derives from his extensive endorsement deals across Asia and globally. He is one of the most followed Korean celebrities on social media with over 30 million Instagram followers, and his brand partnerships span fashion, beauty, electronics, and luxury goods. He also runs his own charitable foundation, PROMIZ, which supports various social causes.