Celebrate Lee Min-ho's birthday by binge-watching his greatest K-drama hits
'Personal Taste' (2010)
Above Lee Min-ho with fellow Hallyu OG Son Ye-jin in 'Personal Taste' (Photo: IMDb)
In Personal Taste , Lee Min-ho plays Jeon Jin-ho, an ambitious young architect who pretends to be gay so he can live with Park Gae-in (played by fellow Hallyu superstar Son Ye-jin) in Sanggojae, the hanok he hopes to study in order to secure a winning bid for a major project. The drama not only sees him switching gears from his rich chaebol persona in Boys Over Flowers , but also showcases his comedic timing and his talent for establishing chemistry with his co-stars. 'Heirs' (2013)
Above Lee Min-ho and Park Shin-hye won the SBS Drama Award for Best Couple. (Photo: IMDb)
The Heirs marks Lee Min-ho's return to the rich-heir archetype. Following the rich boy-poor girl formula popular at the time, Lee Min-ho plays Kim Tan, heir to a powerful conglomerate, who is forced to choose between family duty and his love for Cha Eun-sang (Park Shin-hye). A love triangle involving rival Choi Young-do (Kim Woo-bin) raises the romantic stakes and the dramatic tension, dominating conversations throughout its run.
The K-drama's success solidified Lee Min-ho's global popularity, and his chemistry with co-star Park Shin-hye was widely praised, earning them the SBS Drama Award for Best Couple. 'The Legend of the Blue Sea' (2016)
Above Lee Min-ho and Jun Ji-hyun are a legendary pairing in the romance fantasy 'Legend of the Blue Sea'. (Photo: IMDb)
In this fantasy fish-out-of-water (literally) romcom, Lee Min-ho further established his reputation as a bankable leading man. Starring opposite the legendary Jun Ji-hyun as the mermaid Shim Cheong, Lee Min-ho plays Heo Joon-jae, a con man who is always on the lookout for his next big score. But just as he decides to prey on the naïve Shim Cheong, he begins to develop feelings for her, and a fated romance centuries in the making plays out. 'The King: Eternal Monarch' (2020)
Above Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun's chemistry had audiences watching until the end. (Photo: SBS)
The fantasy time-travel romance drama reunited Lee Min-ho with celebrated writer Kim Eun-sook ( The Heirs , Goblin , Descendants of the Sun , Mr. Sunshine ), and marked his highly anticipated return after his mandatory military service. In this grand epic, where he plays the King of Corea in a parallel universe, the time-travel plot may have left audiences scratching their heads, but his chemistry with co-star Kim Go-eun was more than enough to keep them coming back until the end. 'Pachinko' (2022, 2024)
Above 'Pachinko' marks Lee Min-ho's departure from misunderstood chaebol heirs and romantic heroes. (Photo: IMDb)
Marking a sharp departure from his usual portrayals of misunderstood chaebol heirs and fantasy romance leads, Lee Min-ho stars in the prestige K-drama Pachinko for Apple TV+. In this multi-generational saga based on Min Jin Lee's novel, Lee Min-ho plays Koh Hansu, a man whose intense and complicated bond with Kim Sun-ja (Kim Min-ha) has lasting consequences that change the course of her life. Their relationship leaves ripples that span continents and generations.
Lee Min-ho's layered performance revealed a more mature actor—one ready to take on more complex and ambiguous roles. It also gave him international recognition beyond mainstream K-dramas.
Don't miss: Exclusive: 'Pachinko' Stars Lee Min-ho and Kim Min-ha Get Personal About Their Roles
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tatler Asia
5 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Celebrate Lee Min-ho's birthday by binge-watching his greatest K-drama hits
'Personal Taste' (2010) Above Lee Min-ho with fellow Hallyu OG Son Ye-jin in 'Personal Taste' (Photo: IMDb) In Personal Taste , Lee Min-ho plays Jeon Jin-ho, an ambitious young architect who pretends to be gay so he can live with Park Gae-in (played by fellow Hallyu superstar Son Ye-jin) in Sanggojae, the hanok he hopes to study in order to secure a winning bid for a major project. The drama not only sees him switching gears from his rich chaebol persona in Boys Over Flowers , but also showcases his comedic timing and his talent for establishing chemistry with his co-stars. 'Heirs' (2013) Above Lee Min-ho and Park Shin-hye won the SBS Drama Award for Best Couple. (Photo: IMDb) The Heirs marks Lee Min-ho's return to the rich-heir archetype. Following the rich boy-poor girl formula popular at the time, Lee Min-ho plays Kim Tan, heir to a powerful conglomerate, who is forced to choose between family duty and his love for Cha Eun-sang (Park Shin-hye). A love triangle involving rival Choi Young-do (Kim Woo-bin) raises the romantic stakes and the dramatic tension, dominating conversations throughout its run. The K-drama's success solidified Lee Min-ho's global popularity, and his chemistry with co-star Park Shin-hye was widely praised, earning them the SBS Drama Award for Best Couple. 'The Legend of the Blue Sea' (2016) Above Lee Min-ho and Jun Ji-hyun are a legendary pairing in the romance fantasy 'Legend of the Blue Sea'. (Photo: IMDb) In this fantasy fish-out-of-water (literally) romcom, Lee Min-ho further established his reputation as a bankable leading man. Starring opposite the legendary Jun Ji-hyun as the mermaid Shim Cheong, Lee Min-ho plays Heo Joon-jae, a con man who is always on the lookout for his next big score. But just as he decides to prey on the naïve Shim Cheong, he begins to develop feelings for her, and a fated romance centuries in the making plays out. 'The King: Eternal Monarch' (2020) Above Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun's chemistry had audiences watching until the end. (Photo: SBS) The fantasy time-travel romance drama reunited Lee Min-ho with celebrated writer Kim Eun-sook ( The Heirs , Goblin , Descendants of the Sun , Mr. Sunshine ), and marked his highly anticipated return after his mandatory military service. In this grand epic, where he plays the King of Corea in a parallel universe, the time-travel plot may have left audiences scratching their heads, but his chemistry with co-star Kim Go-eun was more than enough to keep them coming back until the end. 'Pachinko' (2022, 2024) Above 'Pachinko' marks Lee Min-ho's departure from misunderstood chaebol heirs and romantic heroes. (Photo: IMDb) Marking a sharp departure from his usual portrayals of misunderstood chaebol heirs and fantasy romance leads, Lee Min-ho stars in the prestige K-drama Pachinko for Apple TV+. In this multi-generational saga based on Min Jin Lee's novel, Lee Min-ho plays Koh Hansu, a man whose intense and complicated bond with Kim Sun-ja (Kim Min-ha) has lasting consequences that change the course of her life. Their relationship leaves ripples that span continents and generations. Lee Min-ho's layered performance revealed a more mature actor—one ready to take on more complex and ambiguous roles. It also gave him international recognition beyond mainstream K-dramas. Don't miss: Exclusive: 'Pachinko' Stars Lee Min-ho and Kim Min-ha Get Personal About Their Roles
Tatler Asia
20-06-2025
- Tatler Asia
11 films with love triangles to get you ready for ‘Materialists'
Past Lives (2023) Above The film stars Greta Lee, Teo Yoo and John Magaro (Photo: IMDb) In Materialists director Celine Song's feature film debut, two childhood friends contemplate the nature of their relationship as they grow apart, live separate lives and finally reunite. The film stars Greta Lee, Teo Yoo and John Magaro. The Notebook (2004) Above The film stars Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Marsden and James Garner (Photo: IMDb) A young couple in the 1940s falls passionately in love despite obstacles trying to keep them apart. Directed by Nick Cassavetes, the film stars Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Marsden and James Garner. The Dreamers (2003) Above Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, the film stars Eva Green, Louis Garrel and Michael Pitt (Photo: IMDb) Set against the backdrop of the 1968 Paris student riots, a young American student becomes entangled in a strange dynamic with a French brother and sister. Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, the film stars Eva Green, Louis Garrel and Michael Pitt. Y Tu Mamá También (2001) Above The film stars Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal and Maribel Verdú (Photo: IMDb) In this seminal coming-of-age drama, two teenage best friends embark on a road trip with an older woman across rural Mexico. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, the film stars Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal and Maribel Verdú. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) Above The film stars Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant (Photo: IMDb) Bridget Jones, a thirty-something single woman in London, decides to start keeping a diary while she searches for love. Directed by Sharon Maguire, the film stars Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. My Best Friend's Wedding (1997) Above The film stars Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney and Cameron Diaz (Photo: IMDb) A New York City food critic attempts to sneakily sabotage her lifelong best friend's wedding to a wealthy college student. Directed by PJ Hogan, the film stars Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney and Cameron Diaz. The Age of Innocence (1993) Above The film stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder and Michelle Pfeiffer (Photo: IMDb) Based on the novel by Edith Wharton, this Gilded Age romance follows a wealthy lawyer drawn to a mysterious countess despite his engagement to her cousin. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder and Michelle Pfeiffer. Sabrina (1954) Above The film stars Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden (Photo: IMDb) A chauffer's daughter returns home from Paris and catches the attention of both a playboy bachelor and his business-minded brother. Directed by Billy Wilder, the film stars Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. The Earrings of Madame de… (1953) Above The film stars Charles Boyer, Danielle Darrieux and Vittorio de Sica (Photo: IMDb) An aristocratic woman sets off a series of unexpected events after she sells a pair of earrings given to her by her husband. Directed by Max Ophüls, the film stars Charles Boyer, Danielle Darrieux and Vittorio de Sica. Gone with the Wind (1939) Above The film stars Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable and Leslie Howard (Photo: IMDb) This historical epic follows a manipulative Southern belle and a roguish bachelor as they endure the collapse of their high-class society during and after the American Civil War. Directed by Victor Fleming, the film stars Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable and Leslie Howard. NOW READ 12 best Hollywood films about Hollywood 10 inspirational sports films to watch 7 times that 'Oscar baiting' worked for films
Tatler Asia
13-06-2025
- Tatler Asia
What Korean dramas can teach us about modern fatherhood
The imperfectly evolving: Seo In-ho in 'Doctor Cha' Above Seo In-ho in 'Doctor Cha' (Photo: JTBC) Seo In-ho (played by Kim Byung-chul) in Doctor Cha (2023) starts as a rather flawed husband and father, entangled in an affair and seemingly oblivious to his family's emotional needs. However, as the drama unfolds, he undergoes a significant, albeit often comedic, transformation. While his journey is messy and filled with missteps, he eventually confronts his shortcomings and genuinely attempts to be a more present and supportive father to his children. His evolution shows that fatherhood is also about the willingness to learn, adapt and strive for improvement, even when it's uncomfortable. He offers a relatable, if sometimes frustrating, portrayal of a dad trying to find his way back to his family. Related: From panels to screen: Korean dramas based on webtoons to watch on the weekends The quietly resilient: Bong Gwi-ju in 'The Atypical Family' Above Bong Gwi-ju in 'The Atypical Family' (Photo: Netflix) Bong Gwi-ju (played by Jang Ki-yong) in The Atypical Family presents a unique take on fatherhood. A man with the ability to time travel, he loses his powers after his wife's death, succumbing to depression. His journey isn't just about regaining his abilities, but about rediscovering his purpose as a father to his daughter, Bok I-na. He is living proof of the quiet resilience of a father grappling with loss and mental health, demonstrating that true strength lies in confronting one's vulnerabilities for the sake of one's children. His efforts to connect with I-na and protect her, even in his weakened state, are truly poignant. The unexpected healer: Lee Jang-hyun in 'My Dearest' Above Lee Jang-hyun in 'My Dearest' (Photo: MBC TV) While not a biological father, Lee Jang-hyun (played by Namkoong Min) in the historical epic My Dearest becomes a profound father figure in the tumultuous backdrop of Joseon. His enigmatic nature and deep-seated trauma initially make him seem unapproachable, but his quiet acts of protection and selfless sacrifice for those he cares for, especially the younger, more vulnerable characters caught in the ravages of war, solidify his place. He exemplifies a paternal bond forged not by blood, but by shared hardship and unwavering compassion. The steadfast sentinel: Jang Ju-won in 'Moving' Above Jang Ju-won in 'Moving' (Photo: Disney+) In the fantastical world of Moving , Jang Ju-won (played by Ryu Seung-ryong) stands out as a father whose superhuman healing abilities are matched only by his unwavering devotion to his daughter, Hui-soo. A former black ops agent, Ju-won is a man of few words but profound actions. He runs a fried chicken shop to provide for Hui-soo, always putting her safety and well-being above his own. When danger looms, he transforms into a formidable protector, facing down any threat to his child with raw strength and relentless determination. His journey is one of sacrifice and unconditional love, proving that some heroes wear aprons and carry the weight of the world for their children. The quietly supportive: Lee Ik-jun in 'Hospital Playlist' Above Lee Ik-jun in 'Hospital Playlist' (Photo: TVN) Lee Ik-jun (played by Jo Jung-suk) in Hospital Playlist is a prime example of a modern, single father who excels at balancing a demanding career as a liver surgeon with devoted parenting. His relationship with his son, U-ju, is one of the most heartwarming aspects of the series. Ik-jun treats U-ju not just as a child, but as a trusted friend, engaging in playful banter, listening intently to his thoughts, and always making time for him despite his hectic schedule. Their daily video calls, filled with U-ju's adorable updates and Ik-jun's patient responses, paint a picture of a father who prioritises emotional connection and fosters an environment of open communication. He demonstrates that being a great dad isn't about grand gestures, but consistent presence and genuine affection. The unwavering protector: Sung Dong-il in 'Reply 1988' Above Sung Dong-il in 'Reply 1988' (Photo: iQIYI) Perhaps the quintessential K-drama dad, Sung Dong-il, playing a character bearing his own name, is the heart and soul of Reply 1988 . As the perpetually stressed but deeply loving father of three, he embodies the everyday struggles and profound joys of fatherhood in a working-class Seoul neighbourhood. His gruff exterior often masks a heart of gold, always ready with a witty retort or a surprisingly profound piece of advice. He may seem miserly, meticulously tracking every penny, but his sacrifices for his children are immense and often unspoken. His unwavering belief in his eldest daughter, Deok-sun, even when she doubts herself, is a testament to his profound paternal love. He's the sort of dad who might scold you for leaving the lights on but would secretly give you his last won for a treat. NOW READ 11 Korean dramas you loved—but didn't know were remakes From 'Buried Hearts' to 'Doctor Slump': Must-see Park Hyung-sik Korean dramas across genres 9 new, exciting Korean dramas to watch in 2025—from thrillers to tearjerkers
