Lee Min Ho, the face of iconic K-dramas like Boys Over Flowers, The Heirs, and Pachinko, could’ve easily been more than just a drama king. In an alternate universe, he might have been hitting the stage with a catchy K-pop track instead.
The actor recently revealed a fascinating tidbit about his past: Min Ho was scouted by SM Entertainment, one of Korea's biggest K-pop agencies, not once but three times during his school days!
How Lee Min Ho Was Scouted by a K-Pop Company Multiple Times
In a teaser for his upcoming appearance on the Korean talk show You Quiz on the Block, Lee Min Ho shared that SM Entertainment first approached him when he was still a student. Scouts from the agency reached out to him three times, offering the opportunity to train as a K-pop idol. However, despite the repeated offers, it seemed that Min Ho ultimately decided to pursue acting instead.
While he’s now renowned for his acting, those early offers from SM Entertainment highlight just how much his striking visuals stood out, even back then. During the interview, host Yoo Jae Suk humorously remarked that Min Ho must have had the "SM Look," a playful reference to the agency's reputation for scouting individuals with eye-catching appearances.
Although Min Ho may have been flattered by the attention, he chose to follow his passion for acting, which would later lead him to iconic roles like Goo Jun-Pyo in Boys Over Flowers.
Lee Min Ho on Starring in His Latest K-Drama “When the Stars Gossip”
Lee Min Ho’s decision to pursue acting has paid off, as he’s now one of the most recognized actors in the world of K-drama. After five years away from television, he is set to make a highly anticipated return with When the Stars Gossip, a groundbreaking space-themed drama that blends science fiction with human emotion.
In this ambitious project, Min Ho plays Gongryong, a mysterious figure on a secret mission aboard a space station, alongside a talented cast including Kong Hyo Jin, Oh Jung Se, and Han Ji Eun. The drama, which took five years to develop and boasts a 50 billion won production budget, promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally rich series.
Reflecting on his journey, the actor shared his thoughts in a press conference for the show, as quoted by The Korea Times: "It's been five years since I've done a Korean drama. As I entered my 30s, I've been contemplating how to become an actor who can give something back, rather than one who is constantly consumed by work. I needed some time to recharge with new energy to address those concerns."
We can’t wait to see what’s next for you, Min Ho!
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