Writer: Ishika Gupta (Delhi, India)
Editor: Prachi Vaid (Delhi, India)
Lee Min-ho, also known as Chemi-Shin (God of Chemistry), is a popular South Korean actor, model, singer, producer, creative director, and businessman. He is one of the most charming Korean actors of all time, who has worked with many leading female celebrities, and they all have had outstanding chemistry with him, leading to unforgettable dramas. So far, he has won numerous awards for his exceptional acting. As a global heartthrob, he has appeared in numerous dramas and movies, solidifying his position as the top star in the Korean industry. Here are some of the must-watch dramas of Lee Min-ho.
BOYS OVER FLOWERS
‘Boys Over Flowers ‘, a drama that aired in 2009 on KBS2 with 25 episodes, is still making everyone’s heart flutter with amazing chemistry among the cast. This drama was an adaptation of Hana Yori Dango, a Japanese manga. It tells the story of Geum Jan-di, a woman from a poor family who accidentally gets enrolled in a prestigious school. Where she encounters the F4, a bully gang of four astonishingly good-looking young men who belong to South Korea’s wealthiest families. Lee Min-ho played the role of Goo Joon-pyo, the leader of F4.
As time has passed, this drama hasn’t faded away. It has maintained its position in the top 10 favorite K-dramas list of every K-fan. This drama was the turning point of Lee Min-ho’s popularity.
CITY HUNTER
Lee Yoon-sung (Lee Min-ho) is a talented IT engineer who graduated from MIT in the US. He works in the international communications division in the Blue House. His ulterior motive was to take revenge on five politicians who caused his father’s death. His surrogate father, Lee Jin-pyo (Kim Sang-joong), trains him into an elite soldier and eventually becomes a “City Hunter”. Before coming to South Korea, he was warned by Lee Jin-pyo to avoid falling in love because blood would be shed all around him. In the Blue House, Yoon-sung meets Kim Na-na (Park Min-young), who also works there. The two people fall for each other even though he was warned not to. With an IMDb rating of 8.1, this drama series paved the way for Lee Min-ho’s popularity worldwide.
THE HEIRS
This 2013 SBS drama depicts the romantic relationships, conflicts, and friendships of young, wealthy heirs. The successor to the Empire Group, Kim Tan (Lee Min-ho), has been sent to study abroad in the U.S. In truth, it’s all part of a plan, as his elder half-brother is back home and making strategies to take over the family business. In the States, Kim Tan meets Cha Eun-sang (Park Shin-hye), who was there to search for her older sister. Unlike the others, Cha Eun-sang is an ordinary girl and comes from a poor background. Kim Tan starts falling for her, but he doesn’t realize that she is the daughter of his family’s housekeeper. The situation became worse because he was practically engaged to Rachel Yoo (Kim Ji-won), and his heart was torn between love and duty. This drama was one of the most successful dramas of Lee Min-ho, with an average nationwide rating of 16.7%.
THE LEGEND OF BLUE SEA
‘The Legend of the Blue Sea’ is a 2016-17 SBS TV drama series directed by Jin Hyuk. The story is an adaptation of an ancient tale of a mermaid that is beautifully described in a short story anthology called Yadam by Joseon-era scholar Yu Mong-in.
Joon-Jae (Lee Min-ho) is a con artist with magician-like skills. Meanwhile, Sim Chung (Gianna Jun) is a mermaid who washed up close to the oceanside resort after being carried away by a massive tidal wave. She meets Joon-Jae, who looks exactly like Governor Dam Ryung (Lee Min-ho). In 1598, Dam Ryung helped her return to the ocean. This drama was the last acting role for Lee Min Ho before his mandatory two-year military service.
THE KING: ETERNAL MONARCH
In 1994, at the young age of eight, Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho) became the third Korean emperor in the Kingdom of Corea after his father and thelate King (Kwon Yool) were murdered by his brother Lee Lim (Lee Jung-jin). The traitor Lee Lim wants to possess the Manpasikjeok, a legendary flute that connects the parallel worlds. During his invasion, Lee Lim slips away with only half of the now broken flute that got accidentally broken because a strange person appears in the palace that night. The young Lee Gon found a police badge, mistakenly left by the stranger with the name of Lieutenant Jeong Tae-eul, issued on November 11, 2019.
After 25 years, he found himself in the Republic of Korea (a parallel World). Here, he finally meets Jeong Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun), an investigator in the Violent Crimes unit at the Seoul Police Station. This drama set a record for the label’s highest rating of 2020. It also retained the No.1 position for eight consecutive weeks and was listed as the most popular South Korean drama series on Netflix in various countries, including India and the US.
All the above dramas by Lee Min-ho provide distinctive storylines. From fantasy to action, Lee Min-ho has given a remarkable performance in each of them, making him one of the most appreciated and distinguished actors in the South Korean acting industry. These series are a must-watch if you’re searching for dramas that blend excellent performance with captivating stories.
Have you watched any of these shows? Tell us in the comments your most memorable show starring Lee Min-ho!
This article perfectly highlights why Lee Min-ho remains such an iconic actor. Each drama mentioned truly shows a different side of his versatility, from romance and fantasy to action and emotion. Boys Over Flowers may have started it all, but dramas like City Hunter and The King: Eternal Monarch really prove his growth as an actor. A great read for both longtime fans and new viewers looking for must-watch K-dramas.
Lee min ho and his Drama are extraordinary wonderful 😊 I start watching k drama because of him and his acting is damn good in every drama you can easily connect with every emotion I remember when I’m watching the King eternal monarch I dive in to the drama and feel connected with every episode. The way he performed every character with charm can easily make you fall for him and his work never disappoints wether it’s the heirs the fight for legacy or the the legend of blue sea fall for mermaid a wonderful stories and his phenomenal acting skills can take the drama to next level he is the one who inspires most of k stans to dive in to the k drama world 🌎 his versatile acting skills can make any character memorable for the k fans loving since I start watching k drama I always wonder if you love k drama and not a fan of lee min ho than in my view you are not that much k drama lover like how can someone not love his astonishing work . The suggestion of his drama are really so good 😊 every drama in the suggestion shows his brilliant artistic vision and phenomenal acting
Boys over flowers Will always be my favourite drama of him 💕
Lee Min Ho and his dramas are literally so good ✨. I mean, his acting and emotions—I can feel everything. He’s such an iconic actor. The King: Eternal Monarch is one of my favorite drama. The suggestions are really good. Such a great article!
He is a charismatic star . His everyy drama is always amazing storylines,chemistry between leads, his entry ,his deamnour .he really know how to make everyone swoon over his character. Boys over flower and the king will be always be a eternal. Damn! One of the best amazing drama it is.
There’s something comforting about Lee Min-Ho’s screen presence — whether it’s City Hunter action or The Heirs romance, he just pulls you into the story. I love that this article celebrates not just popularity, but the range he’s shown over the years. Makes me appreciate how some actors grow with you as a viewer..
This overview of Lee Min-ho’s most remarkable dramas is such a great tribute to his career. It highlights how his roles — from romantic leads to complex protagonists — have brought different facets of storytelling to life and connected with viewers worldwide. Reading this made me appreciate the emotional depth and versatility he brings to each character. Valuable for both longtime fans and anyone curious about his impact on Korean drama history.
Lee Minho’s dramas are honestly amazing , he really seems to be part of all the iconic K-dramas! He’s such a great introduction to the K-drama world for anyone starting out. I’ve watched Legend of the Blue Sea, and it was really good – his presence, charm, and acting make the story even more enjoyable.
I saw him in the first korean drama i ever watched. it was boys over flowers and then i started to watch more and more of his dramas. now i have watched all his dramas. he is an amazing actor
Lee Min-ho truly is a legend! 🌟 From the iconic Goo Joon-pyo in Boys Over Flowers to the charming emperor in The King: Eternal Monarch, he brings every character to life. His dramas are a perfect mix of romance, action, and emotion—definitely must-watch! 🎬💖
Honestly, City Hunter was the moment I realized Lee Min-ho wasn’t just a romance king but an action star too! 🕶️🔥 That ‘spoon fight’ scene is still legendary.
And can we talk about The King: Eternal Monarch? The cinematography was stunning, and his chemistry with Kim Go-eun was so underrated. A true classic list!
“What a fantastic trip down memory lane, Ishika! Lee Min-ho truly is the ‘Chemi-Shin’—I don’t think anyone else could have pulled off the transition from a high school bully in Boys Over Flowers to a stoic parallel-world Emperor in The King: Eternal Monarch so seamlessly. I especially loved that you included City Hunter; it’s such an underrated masterpiece that proved he could handle heavy action just as well as romance.
A big thank you to Prachi for the clean editing and to the whole Hallyuism team! I love how this platform brings together fans from all over India to celebrate our shared love for K-culture. It really does feel like one big family here. For me, The Legend of the Blue Sea will always be my ‘comfort drama’—the chemistry between Min-ho and Jun Ji-hyun was just magical! 🌊✨”
Lee Min-ho truly never disappoints! His chemistry with every lead is unreal and each drama has such different vibes. Boys Over Flowers was iconic, but The King: Eternal Monarch and Legend of the Blue Sea are forever favorites. A true king of K-dramas!
I love Lee Min-ho as an actor and yes, he’s dangerously handsome too. I’ve already watched Boys Over Flowers, The Legend of the Blue Sea, and The King: Eternal Monarch and enjoyed every bit of them. After reading this, I’m definitely excited to catch up on the rest of his dramas as well.
When I was new to k drama world one of my friends suggested me “Legends of the blue sea” & i watched it & then I watched “boys over flowers” & became his fan.From legends of the blue sea to The Heirs his acting makes his characters so alive no matter what the genre is 🤌
If we are talking about kdramas …lee Minho always comes in our mind!and yes his acting skills are remarkable’!I love him in legends of the blue sea but gu junpyo from boys over flowers is my all time fav 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻