10 Latest Movies and Dramas of Lee Min Ho
For fans of Korean dramas, who hasn't heard of Lee Min Ho? Whether you're one of his dedicated fans or just curious because his name keeps coming up, you probably know he's one of South Korea's most popular actors today.
But before reaching the height of fame, Lee Min Ho started with small roles. In fact, there was a time when he had only a single line of dialogue! It just goes to show that success doesn’t come overnight, even for someone like Lee Min Ho. Want to catch up on his latest dramas and movies? Let's check out the reviews!
1. Pachinko Season 2
Year | 2024 |
Genre | Drama |
Director | Arvin Chen, Leanne Welham |
Cast | Kim Min Ha Lee Min Ho Youn Yuh Jung Jin Ha |
The second season of Pachinko continues Sunja's story as she faces a difficult decision to keep her family safe during the turmoil of 1945.
Set in a time when Japan is ravaged by World War II, the season follows the desperate situation that forces many to flee the cities in search of safety. As Osaka teeters on the edge of destruction, Sunja reunites with Hansu after fourteen years of separation since their time in Yeongdo, Korea.
Although she still holds resentment toward Hansu, Sunja ultimately agrees to his advice to move her family to the countryside. With the help of Hansu's connections, they find shelter on a farm.
Lee Min Ho reprises his role as Hansu in this second season. The relationship between Hansu and Sunja deepens, moving beyond romance as they now face the pressures of parenthood, raising their son Noa.
2. Pachinko
Year | 2022 |
Genre | Drama, Romance |
Director | Justin Chon, Kogonada |
Cast | Youn Yuh Jung Lee Min Ho Jin Ha |
Many elements are incorporated into the story of Pachinko, including family stories, the immigrant experience, and the history of the Korean people. Moreover, our main character, Sunja, also teaches the spirit of struggle as a woman.
The plot of Pachinko follows the life of a Korean family across generations. In 1931, Sunja left her family in Korea, which was then under Japanese colonization. She decided to move to Osaka, Japan, to start a new life. Unfortunately, Sunja faced many difficulties and discrimination in her new home.
Lee Min Ho portrays Ko Hansu, a fish broker who falls in love with Sunja and gets her pregnant. Despite his deep feelings for her, Hansu is already married, which prevents him from marrying Sunja. However, his love for her remains unwavering throughout the story.
3. The King: Eternal Monarch
Year | 2020 |
Genre | Drama, Fantasy, History, Romance, Sci-Fi |
Director | Baek Sang Hoon, Jung Ji Hyun, Yoo Je Won |
Cast | Lee Min Ho Kim Go Eun Woo Do Hwan Lee Jung Jin Kim Kyung Nam Jung Eun Chae |
In 1994, the King of Korea was assassinated by his half-brother, Lee Lim, who sought to seize the Manpasikjeok, a mystical bamboo flute that grants immortality and power. Fortunately, the king's son, Lee Gon, managed to secure half of the flute, while Lee Lim escaped to a parallel world.
Lee Gon (played by Lee Min Ho) ascended the throne at a young age, haunted by the trauma of his father’s murder. Years later, Lee Gon discovers a portal hidden in a bamboo forest, leading him to a parallel universe—the Republic of Korea. There, he meets Jong Tae Eul (played by Kim Go Eun), a detective who initially finds Lee Gon's behavior odd and suspicious.
As time goes on, various mysteries unravel, including the revelation that Lee Lim is still alive and has been manipulating people in the parallel world to do his bidding. With Tae Eul's help, Lee Gon sets out to track down his treacherous step-uncle and restore balance between the two worlds.
4. Legend of the Blue Sea
Year | 2016 |
Genre | Comedy, Fantasy, Romance |
Director | Jin Hyuk, Park Seon Ho |
Cast | Jun Ji Hyun Lee Min Ho |
This drama was Lee Min Ho's last project before taking a break to fulfill his mandatory military service. Legend of the Blue Sea was highly anticipated by K-drama fans, as many were excited to see Lee Min Ho star alongside one of the highest-paid actresses, Jun Ji Hyun.
In the story, Shim Chung (played by Jun Ji Hyun) is a mermaid who follows a man in modern-day Seoul who resembles her true love from the Joseon Dynasty. However, that man, Heo Joon Jae (played by Lee Min Ho), is actually a skilled con artist. Initially, Joon Jae is only interested in Shim Chung because of her jade bracelet, worth six million dollars.
With nowhere else to go, Shim Chung ends up moving in with Joon Jae. However, she faces competition for his affection from Cha Shi Ah, an expert in ancient artifacts. On top of that, Shim Chung uncovers a plot by Joon Jae's wicked stepmother to kill him, prompting her to take action to protect him.
5. Gangnam Blues
Year | 2015 |
Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
Director | Yoo Ha |
Cast | Lee Min Ho Kim Rae Won |
Gangster movies have long been a popular theme in the Korean film industry, and Gangnam Blues, starring Lee Min Ho and Kim Rae Won, is no exception. The movie tells the story of two best friends, Jong Dae (Lee Min Ho) and Yong Ki (Kim Rae Won), who struggle with poverty and are eventually pulled into the dangerous world of gangs.
After being recruited for a mission to disrupt a presidential nominating convention, the two friends are separated. Jong Dae ends up living with former gangsters while searching for Yong Ki, who has joined one of Seoul's most powerful gangs.
Three years later, Jong Dae becomes involved in the real estate business, working on major land deals with his gang. When he finally reunites with Yong Ki, the two agree to collaborate, each driven by different goals: Jong Dae seeks to control the land, while Yong Ki is after the money.
6. The Heirs
Year | 2013 |
Genre | Drama, Romance, Teen |
Director | Boo Sung chul, Kang Shin Hyo |
Cast | Lee Min Ho Park Shin Hye Kim Woo Bin |
The Heirs stars many popular actors, including Lee Min Ho, Choi Jin Hyuk, Park Shin Hye, Kim Ji Won, Kim Woo Bin, Krystal Jung, Park Hyung Sik, Kang Min Hyuk, and Kang Ha Neul. Also known as The Inheritors, the drama follows the lives of high school students from wealthy families preparing to inherit their family businesses.
Kim Tan (played by Lee Min Ho) is the heir to Korea's Empire Group. To groom him for managing the family business, he is sent to the United States for his studies. There, he meets Cha Eun Sang (played by Park Shin Hye) and is immediately captivated by her, even though he is engaged to Yoo Rachel (Kim Ji Won).
Upon returning to Korea, Kim Tan finds himself in a complicated situation. His former best friend, Choi Young Do (played by Kim Woo Bin), begins bullying Eun Sang, aware of Kim Tan's feelings for her. However, things take a twist when Young Do himself falls in love with Eun Sang.
Rachel, determined to maintain her engagement with Kim Tan, attempts to separate him from Eun Sang. Now, Kim Tan faces a dilemma: should he focus on running the family business or fight for his love for Eun Sang?
7. Faith
Year | 2012 |
Genre | Drama, Fantasy, Historical |
Director | Kim Jong Hak, Shin Yong Hwi |
Cast | Kim Hee Sun Lee Min Ho Ryu Deok Hwan Park Se Young Yoo Oh Sung |
Looking for Lee Min Ho's captivating performance as a heroic royal soldier? Faith (also known as The Great Doctor) is the perfect choice! This drama weaves a love story between Choi Young (Lee Min Ho), a warrior from the Goryeo era, and Yoo Eun Soo, a modern-day plastic surgeon.
Eun Soo, who switched to plastic surgery for better pay and less pressure, dreams of opening her own clinic. But her life takes a drastic turn when Choi Young kidnaps her, taking her back in time to use her medical skills to save the Queen.
Initially reluctant, Eun Soo agrees to help after Choi Young promises to return her to the present once the mission is complete. However, the royal advisor’s schemes force her to stay, seeing her as a valuable asset.
As time passes, Eun Soo falls for Choi Young, who is revealed to be the leader of the royal guard. Her time in the palace not only deepens her feelings for him but also helps her rediscover the true purpose of her profession.
8. City Hunter
Year | 2011 |
Genre | Action, Romance, Thriller |
Director | Jin Hyeok |
Cast | Lee Min Ho Park Min Young |
Hojo Tsukasa's City Hunter manga has been adapted by various countries, including South Korea, which made it into a drama with Lee Min Ho as the lead. In this Korean version, the character of Ryo Saeba is transformed into Lee Yoon Sung, also known as Poochai.
Set in Seoul in 2011, Lee Yoon Sung is a genius MIT graduate who works at the Blue House (South Korea's presidential residence) in the international communications team. Beneath his professional facade, Yoon Sung secretly collaborates with his adoptive father, Lee Jin Pyo, to carry out a mission of revenge. The target: five powerful politicians responsible for his biological father's death years ago.
His revenge action also indirectly exposed many corruption cases in South Korea. As a result, Yoon Sung is known by the public as the “City Hunter.” Yet, his mission becomes complicated when he falls for Kim Na Na (Park Min Young), one of the Blue House bodyguards.
9. Personal Taste
Year | 2010 |
Genre | Comedy, Romance |
Director | Noh Jong Chan, Song Hyung Suk |
Cast | Lee Min Ho Son Ye Jin Kim Ji Suk Wang Ji Hye |
In this drama, Lee Min Ho's character, Jeon Jin Ho, has a unique persona. Due to his attention to detail and his seemingly perfect understanding of women's feelings, Jin Ho is mistaken for being gay. This misconception convinces Park Gae In, a clumsy and naive furniture designer, that Jin Ho has no romantic interest in women.
Jin Ho's personality makes Gae In comfortable sharing a residence with him, especially since Gae In herself is very careless and naive. Over time, Jin Ho helps Gae In become a more graceful and less foolish person. Their relationship that started as roommates slowly turns into love.
This lighthearted romantic comedy is the perfect feel-good watch after a long day. The drama offers plenty of humor and relatable moments, and the chemistry between Lee Min Ho and Son Ye Jin is delightful, adding a spark to the playful romance.
10. Boys Over Flowers
Year | 2009 |
Genre | Comedy, Romance |
Director | Jeon Ki Sang |
Cast | Goo Hye Sun Lee Min Ho Kim Hyun Joong Kim Bum Kim Joon |
Boys Over Flowers (2009) is one of the most beloved versions of the F4 story, both in South Korea and worldwide. Although the script leaned heavily into dramatic trends of the time, the show stood out with its exceptional cast, sleek visuals, and eye-catching character fashion.
The plot revolves around the classic "rich boy, poor girl" love story. Geum Jan Di (played by Goo Hye Sun), a girl from a modest family that runs a laundry business, suddenly finds her life turned upside down when she earns a scholarship to the prestigious Shinwa High School. There, she becomes entangled with F4, a notorious group of four wealthy and handsome students.
Jan Di catches F4's attention after standing up to their bullying ways, particularly impressing their leader, Goo Jun Pyo (played by Lee Min Ho). Despite their initial clashes, Jun Pyo gradually falls for Jan Di, marking the start of their complicated romance.
Lee Min Ho's portrayal of Goo Jun Pyo, a charming and aloof chaebol heir, captivated viewers and won the hearts of many fans. Boys Over Flowers was a major milestone in Lee Min Ho's career, propelling him to international fame.