According to the '2025 Global Hallyu Survey' (based on 2024 data) released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Lee Min-ho has secured the top spot as the most preferred Korean actor globally for 12 years in a row, solidifying his status as a Hallyu star.
The analysis by continent shows that Lee Min-ho ranked first in all five continents―Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa―across 28 countries, proving his immense global popularity.
This achievement marks a significant milestone since the Hallyu star category was introduced in 2014, with Lee Min-ho maintaining the top position in the actor category for 12 consecutive years. His overwhelming popularity is highlighted by the substantial lead he holds over other top stars. Notably, the gap between him and the second place has widened compared to 2023, not only in Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, where Korean content is highly favored, but also in the Middle East and Africa, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, where the overall preference for Hallyu, including video content, beauty, and fashion, is on the rise.
Through various successful projects like the dramas 'The Heirs,' 'Legend of the Blue Sea,' and 'Pachinko,' Lee Min-ho has demonstrated his box office power. He has also claimed top honors in significant awards and polls, such as the National Brand Awards, Best Hallyu Actor Award, Asia's Top Star Award, and Hallyu Contribution Award, showcasing his strong influence as a Hallyu star.
In addition, as a global ambassador and model for various brands, Lee Min-ho continues to make his presence felt worldwide. He is celebrated as a beloved Korean actor across all continents, leading trends and capturing the attention of fans worldwide on various social media platforms.
Firmly holding his position as the most loved Korean actor globally, Lee Min-ho kicked off his '2025 LEE MINHO ASIA FANMEETING TOUR 'MINHOVERSE' IN SEOUL' at the Olympic Hall in Seoul last month, marking the start of a successful fan meeting tour after eight years since 2017. He is meeting fans in seven Asian countries, including Bangkok, Macau, Taipei, Jakarta, Manila, and Tokyo.
This year, Lee Min-ho is set to appear in the film adaptation of the web novel 'Omniscient Reader: The Prophet' (directed by Kim Byung-woo). The movie, based on a novel serialized for over a decade, follows 'Kim Dok-ja,' the only person who knows the ending in a world that has collapsed, as he embarks on an epic journey with the novel's protagonist 'Yoo Joong-hyuk' to save the world. Lee Min-ho will portray Yoo Joong-hyuk, a character with the ability to endlessly return to life, meeting audiences in this exciting role.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)