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!
