Get to Know "Pachinko" Actor Lee Minho

Published on March 20, 2022 at 2:50 PM

Adapted from the bestselling book of the same name, the upcoming Apple TV+ drama series "Pachinko" tells the story of a Korean immigrant family as they struggle to find their way after immigrating to Japan. The "Pachinko" cast features Jin Ha, Anna Sawai, Minha Kim, Soji Arai, Kaho Minami, and Lee Minho — who plays Hansu, a mysterious outsider who's associated with organized crime. "I could really relate to the strength and resilience of the people who had to live those desperate and difficult times," Minho told Variety about his "much darker" role. "And my character, Hansu, has his own way of survival, which is quite heartbreaking."

Though American audiences may not be as familiar with Minho's work, he's acted in a handful of movies and TV shows, including "Legend of the Blue Sea," "The King: Eternal Monarch," and "Boys Over Flowers," which is considered his breakthrough role. In the latter, he plays Gu Jun Pyo, an heir to a giant business conglomerate, and we're sure that his role in "Pachinko" will be another standout performance.

Ahead, we've rounded up some interesting facts about the 34-year-old Korean actor before "Pachinko" premieres on March 25. Read on to learn more about the multitalented heartthrob.

He Was Known as Lee Min at the Start of His Career

At the start of his acting career, the Korean heartthrob's stage name was Lee Min. Because the name also means "immigration" in Korean, his fans struggled to find him online, so Minho switched back to his real name soon after.

He Dreamed of Becoming of a Soccer Player

Growing up, the soccer enthusiast set his sights on becoming a professional player until an injury in elementary school derailed his plans. By his sophomore year of high school, Minho refocused his attention to acting.

He Enlisted in the Army at Age 30

In 2017, Minho enlisted in the military but was deemed unfit for combat due to injuries he sustained from a car accident nearly a decade prior. Instead, he served as a public service worker after completing four weeks of basic military training.

He Sings, Too

When he's not busy sifting through scripts, Minho is cooking up catchy tunes in the studio. His two EPs, "My Everything" and "Song For You," reached number five and three on the Gaon Music Chart, respectively.

He's a Proud Dog Dad

After scrolling through Minho's Instagram for just a few minutes, it's clear that the actor's dog, Choco, is spoiled, often accompanying him during photo shoots. He's even joked that Choco, a miniature pinscher, has more clothes than him!