Latest news with #LeeMin-ho
India Today
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Omniscient Reader 2nd trailer suprises as Lee Min-ho throws Ahn Hyo-seop into sea
A brand-new teaser of the highly-anticipated live-action adaptation of the hit webtoon 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' was recently released. Packed with explosive action, a star-studded cast including Lee Min-ho, Blackpink's Jisoo, Ahn Hyo-seop, and Chae Soo-bin, the film is set for theatre release in July teaser features intense fight scenes with Lee Min-ho, a tense face-off between him and Ahn Hyo-seop, and fast-paced action shots of Chae Soo-bin and Blackpink's Jisoo. One of the most dramatic moments shows Lee Min-ho's character throwing Ahn Hyo-seop's character off a high ledge into the sea, adding to the it here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@ With the release date fast approaching, excitement for 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' is steadily building and the production team dropped striking new visuals with each highlighting the flim's key characters. The visuals are paired with the tagline, 'I am the only reader who knows how this world ends.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@ film 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' is based on the webtoon 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' that has garnered significant fan attention. The story of 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' is written by Korean author Sing Shong, and it revolves around Kim Dok-ja, who lives the web novel he once read. It is available in both English and Min-ho was last seen in 'Pachinko' as an antagonist. He was applauded for the role and received critical acclaim. He will be next seen in 'Ask The Stars', along with Gong Hyo-jin. He will play the role of an obstetrician-gynecologist who has gone to space as a Hyo-seop was recently seen in a Netflix original K-drama called 'A Time Called You'.
Tatler Asia
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
From Bit to Big Time: The K-drama roles that launched Korea's biggest stars
2. Lee Jong-suk in 'I Can Hear Your Voice' (2013) Above Lee Jong-suk (Photo: IMDB) Lee Jong-suk had already turned heads in School 2013 , but it was I Can Hear Your Voice that made sure those heads stayed turnt. As Park Soo-ha, a high school student who can literally hear people's thoughts (thanks, traumatic childhood!), he brought both supernatural intrigue and emotional sincerity. His chemistry with Lee Bo-young was electric in that noona-romance way K-dramas do so well. The role required sensitivity, steel and a touch of melancholy—all of which Lee delivered with eerie grace. The nation fell in love, and the scripts kept pouring in. Now he's one of Korea's biggest stars. 3. Song Joong-ki in 'Sungkyunkwan Scandal' (2010) Above Song Joong-ki (Photo: IMDB) Before he was a stoic soldier in Descendants of the Sun or a vengeful antihero in Vincenzo , Song Joong-ki charmed his way into hearts as the swoon-worthy, fan-wielding Gu Yong-ha in Sungkyunkwan Scandal . A Joseon playboy with a brain and a smirk, Yong-ha wasn't just comic relief, he was the scene-stealer that made everyone ask, 'Who is that guy?' This role turned him from flower-boy side character to rising lead material overnight. See more: The rise of the antihero: 10 K-drama characters who played by their own rules 4. Lee Min-ho in 'Boys Over Flowers' (2009) Above Lee Min-ho (Photo: IMDB) It's hard to imagine a time of Lee Min-ho wasn't one of Korea's biggest stars, but it wasn't so long ago. Curly-haired, punch-throwing, chaebol prince Goo Jun-pyo in Boys Over Flowers wasn't just Lee Min-ho's breakout role. He made arrogance loveable, perms trendy and set the gold standard for K-drama chaebols for years to come. The show may have had its wild moments, but Lee Min-ho's charisma made it a phenomenon that defined a generation of K-drama fans. Don't miss: Red Flags? If he's anything like these K-drama leads, better swipe left 5. Gong Yoo in 'Coffee Prince' (2007) Above Gong Yoo (Photo: IMDB) Before becoming the stoic 'Oppa' in Goblin , Gong Yoo brewed up something special as Choi Han-kyul, the emotionally constipated coffee shop heir who falls for a barista he believes is a boy. Coffee Prince wasn't just a rom-com; it was an early exploration of gender identity and love that felt progressive for its time. Gong Yoo's layered performance—funny, awkward, vulnerable—sealed his place in K-drama royalty. 6. Hyun Bin in 'My Name is Kim Sam Soon' (2005) Above Hyun Bin (Photo: IMDB) This is the role that launched a thousand Hyun Bin fantasies. As Hyun Jin-heon, the brooding restaurant heir opposite the refreshingly real Kim Sam Soon (Kim Sun-a), Hyun Bin helped redefine what a leading man could be: sharp-tongued, emotionally guarded and a bit of a he's not. The drama was a ratings behemoth and gave K-dramas their Bridget Jones moment, but it was Hyun Bin who emerged as the ultimate Mr Darcy in designer suits. This was long before Secret Garden or Crash Landing on You , but the blueprint was already there. Don't miss: 8 unforgettable body swap K-dramas 7. Son Ye-jin in 'Summer Scent' (2003) Above Son Ye-jin (Photo: IMDB) Son Ye-jin had already been dubbed the 'Nation's First Love' after her turn in Lover's Concerto , but it was Summer Scent that marked her arrival in Hallyu drama royalty. As Shim Hye-won, a woman who receives a heart transplant and unexpectedly falls for the man whose girlfriend was the donor, Son showcased her signature ability to mix quiet emotional pain with romantic intensity. This role cemented her status as a melodrama queen long before Crash Landing on You reignited her not just as one of Korea's biggest stars but the world's. 8. Shin Min-a in 'My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho' (2010) Above Shin Min-a (Photo: IMDB) Though Shin Min-a was already a model-actress hybrid with screen credits in A Love to Kill , it was her charmingly offbeat performance as a nine-tailed fox in My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho that made her a household name. Playing Mi-ho, a mythical creature who falls for a hapless student (Lee Seung-gi), she balanced comedy, innocence and pathos in a way only Shin Min-a can. Her take on the Gumiho myth breathed new life into a well-worn K-drama trope. 9. Jun Ji-hyun in 'My Love from the Star' (2013-2014) Above Jun Ji-hyun (Photo: IMDB) Already a bona fide movie star thanks to My Sassy Girl , Jun Ji-hyun's transition to television was a seismic event. As Cheon Song-yi, the hilarious, self-absorbed A-list actress who falls for an alien professor (Kim Soo-hyun), she flexed both her comedic chops and star power. Not everyone can turn high-maintenance into high art and make ramyun and soju in couture look iconic. 10. IU in 'My Mister' (2018) Above IU (Photo: IMDB) Known first as a K-pop superstar, IU, also known as Lee Ji-eun, had already acted in several dramas, but it was her role as the jaded, emotionally scarred Lee Ji-an in My Mister that shattered any lingering doubts about her acting prowess. The rawness and quiet tension she brought to her scenes with Lee Sun-kyun turned a slow-burn drama into a deeply affecting character study. It marked her graduation from idol-actress to serious leading lady. 11. Song Hye-kyo in 'Autumn in My Heart' (2000) Above Song Hye-kyo (Photo: IMDB) It's hard to overstate the impact of Autumn in My Heart . This show practically launched the Korean Wave, and, of course, its lead actress as one of Korea's biggest stars. Song Hye-kyo, playing the tragically switched-at-birth Yoon Eun-suh, brought tears to an entire generation of viewers. Her chemistry with Song Seung-heon and Won Bin was legendary, and her expressive, unshowy acting style set the tone for many melodramatic heroines to come. It was the start of a long reign as a K-drama icon. 12. Park Shin-hye in 'You're Beautiful' (2009) Above Park Shin-hye (Photo: IMDB) Park Shin-hye had been working steadily since childhood, but You're Beautiful catapulted her to the ranks of one of Korea's biggest stars. As Go Mi-nam/Go Mi-nyeo, a girl who disguises herself as her twin brother to join a K-pop boy band (yes, really), she charmed viewers with her earnestness, slapstick timing, and sweet chemistry with Jang Keun-suk. It was peak gender-bending, idol-studded chaos—and Park Shin-hye made it all work. 13. Kim Tae-hee in 'Stairway to Heaven' (2003) Above You can find the legendary Kim Tae-hee at the 8:24 mark. Before she was a beauty standard, Kim Tae-hee was everyone's favorite villain. As Han Yoo-ri in Stairway to Heaven , she was all calculating stares and cold ambition, a performance so compelling it threatened to outshine the heroine. Later, she'd headline softer roles, but it was this deliciously hateable breakout that showed she had more than just a pretty face. 14. Bae Suzy in 'Dream High' (2011) Above Bae Suzy (Photo: IMDB) Suzy went from 'the visual' of girl group Miss A to breakout actress in one fell swoop thanks to Dream High . Playing Go Hye-mi, a haughty classical singer forced to survive the world of K-pop, Suzy embodied the teen drama heroine with ambition, vulnerability and charisma. The role kicked off her acting career and a long reign as CF queen, setting her up for future hits like While You Were Sleeping and Start-Up .
Korea Herald
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Overseas, image most associated with Korea is still K-pop: survey
Favorable perception of Korean culture and products rises, but excessive commercialization, North Korea concerns have negative impact, according to survey For the eighth consecutive year, K-pop has been named the most prominent image associated with South Korea according to a global survey. The 2025 Global Hallyu Survey, released Monday by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, showed 17.8 percent of respondents said K-pop was the first thing that came to mind when they thought of Korea. The survey was conducted across 28 countries from Nov. 29 to Dec. 27, 2024, targeting 26,400 people aged 15 to 59 who had experienced Korean cultural content. The Philippines and Hong Kong were included in the survey for the first time. The second most common answer was Korean cuisine, which came to mind for 11.8 percent, followed by Korean dramas (8.7 percent), beauty products (6.4 percent) and Korean films (5.6 percent). For the first time since 2012, IT products and brands fell out of the top five with only 5.1 percent. Among K-pop artists, 24.6 percent of respondents rated BTS as the most popular act, securing the band's spot at the top for a seventh consecutive year. Blackpink followed with 12.3 percent, marking its sixth consecutive year in second place. IU, Psy and Twice rounded out the top five, with 3.1 percent, 2.2 percent, and 1.8 percent, respectively. The overall favorability rating for Korean content stood at 70.3 percent, up 1.5 percentage points from the previous year. The newly added category of Korean language recorded a favorability rating of 75.4 percent. For the fourth year in a row, the Netflix original series "Squid Game" was named the most popular Korean drama, chosen by 9.7 percent of respondents. "Queen of Tears" followed with 6.5 percent, and "Crash Landing on You" came in third with 2.2 percent. In the film category, "Parasite" directed by Bong Joon-ho maintained its top position for the fifth consecutive year with 8.3 percent. "Train to Busan" ranked second with 6.5 percent, and "Exhuma" came third with 4.1 percent. Actor Lee Min-ho remained the most popular Korean actor for 12 consecutive years, chosen by 7 percent of the respondents. Actors Gong Yoo, Song Hye-kyo followed in second and third place, while the scandal-ridden actor Kim Soo-hyun secured fourth place. The survey also highlighted the growing economic impact of Korean culture. Among those who had experienced Korean content, 58.9 percent said they were likely to purchase Korean products or services in the future. This marks an increase of 8.2 percentage points compared to the previous year. Furthermore, 22.1 percent said their reason for purchase was the product's appearance in Korean movies or television shows, a 5 percentage point rise from the year before. However, the survey also noted a rise in negative perceptions of Hallyu as its global influence expands. A total of 37.5 percent of respondents said they agreed with negative views about Korean pop culture, the highest figure in the past five years and a 4.9 percentage point increase from last year. The most cited reasons included excessive commercialization, concerns about North Korea's international presence, and the desire to protect local content in their own countries.
South China Morning Post
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Netflix K-drama When the Stars Gossip review: space pregnancy nonsense sinks sci-fi romcom
This article contains major spoilers. Advertisement 1/5 stars Lead cast: Lee Min-ho, Gong Hyo-jin, Oh Jung-se, Han Ji-eun Latest Nielsen rating: 2.55 per cent One of the elements that viewers tend to like about modern Korean dramas is that, despite being the product of a society that remains staunchly patriarchal, these stories often portray strong women who excel in a variety of impressive fields. Advertisement Romance inevitably rears its head to briefly scupper their professional lives, but they are still held up as career women who bristle at unfair social norms as they aspire to add personal happiness to career success.
Korea Herald
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
2NE1 to hold encore concert despite concerns over Park Bom's well-being
Fans worry about the K-pop singer's mental health as she shuts down self-generated dating rumors with Lee Min-ho, confirming she is single K-pop girl group 2NE1 will go ahead with its encore concert in April, marking the conclusion of its 15th-anniversary Asia tour, despite mounting concerns over member Park Bom's mental health. YG Entertainment confirmed to The Korea Herald on Friday that the legendary girl group will proceed with their April concert as scheduled, with all four members on stage. Concerns over Park's condition have intensified following her repeated claims on social media that she is in a romantic relationship with actor Lee Min-ho. Since last September, she has posted about him three times, most recently on Feb. 12, when she shared his photo with the caption, 'My husband.' The post was removed shortly afterwards. Park's agency dismissed the post as 'a simple misunderstanding stemming from her admiration as a fan.' However, she reignited concerns on Feb. 15 by posting another photo of Lee, writing, 'Lee Min-ho is my husband,' and alleging that 'the company deleted my post.' Lee's agency, MYM Entertainment, denied the rumors on Thursday, stating, 'Park Bom and Lee Min-ho have no personal connection, and the dating rumors are completely false.' Later that same day, Park created a third Instagram account, where she wrote, 'I am Park Bom. The truth is, I am alone. I posted about Lee Min-ho because he asked me to, but I am clarifying that I am single. Have a good day.' Beyond her self-generated dating rumors, Park has drawn criticism for her lack of professionalism during 2NE1's 15th-anniversary Asia tour. While other members delivered intense performances, Park appeared unenthusiastic on stage. At several stops -- including Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan -- she abruptly left the stage mid-performance without explanation. Fans have expressed deep concern over her well-being, with online comments such as, 'She doesn't seem well at all. Someone needs to encourage her to seek treatment,' and 'At this point, her family should consider hospitalizing her rather than letting her continue the tour.' Some 2NE1 fans have called for Park's removal from group activities, including the upcoming encore concert in April. 'Park Bom's continuous social media controversies, along with her repeated unprofessional attitude during the tour, cannot be justified by health reasons alone,' the 2NE1 Gallery Fan Union said, on Feb. 16. 2NE1 is scheduled to hold an encore concert entitled '2025 2NE1 Concert [Welcome Back] Encore in Seoul,' at KSPO Dome, April 12–13.
