Biography of Choi Min-ho

Choi Min-ho is a versatile actor with manful and flaming charisma. This actor, model, singer, and songwriter is better known by the name Minho. The Korean idol debuted as a member of the South Korean boy band ‘SHINee’ and made his acting debut in November 2010 in KBS2’s drama ‘Pianist’.

His film debut was in the 2016 South Korean film ‘Canola’ and later appeared in television series such as ‘Salamander Guru’ and ‘The Shadows’ (2012), ‘To the Beautiful You’ (2012), ‘Medical Top Team’ (2013), ‘My First Time’ (2015), and ‘Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth’ (2016).

Early Life & Education

He was born on 9 December 1991 and grew up in the Yeonsu District of South Korea with his elder brother Choi Min-seok. His father Choi Yun-kyum was a renowned South Korean soccer coach and a retired member of the national team. Since childhood, he has loved to play soccer and basketball and no wonder in his spark of interest in sports.

He was cast by a modelling agency, SM Entertainment when he was only 15 years old. By the time he graduated from Konkuk University’s affiliated high school on 10 February 2010, he was already part of the Korean boy band, SHINee, having debuted two years prior.

The same year of his high school graduation, he appeared in the songs ‘Gee’ by the girl group ‘Girls’ Generation’s’ and ‘Sound’ by the girl group ‘VNT’ and even debuted in his first-ever television drama role.

Career

2008–2009: Career Beginnings and Shinee

He was discovered at the SM Casting System in 2006 and later chosen as a member of the five-member boy band, ‘Shinee’. The group debuted in the music program ‘Inkigayo’ on 25 May 2008 and the group’s first EP, ‘Replay’ was released on May 22.

He appeared in both the Korean and Japanese versions of the music video ‘Gee’ by the band ‘Girls’ Generation’s’ and also appeared in the music video ‘Sound’ by the music band ‘VNT’.

2010–2015: Acting Debut

In 2010, he joined as a cast member of the variety show ‘Oh! My School’ and after appearing in various music videos and television guest appearances, he eventually made his full-fledged acting debut with the series ‘Pianist’.

After the sitcom ‘Salamander Guru and The Shadows’ in 2012 he played the lead role in the television drama series ‘To the Beautiful You’ alongside Sulli and Lee Hyun-woo. Later in December 2012, he joined the dance project group SM The Performance along with Exo, Super Junior, and TVXQ.

He resumed his role as an MC in 2013 when he hosted the variety show ‘Mamma Mia’ in April 2013 and ‘Show! Music Core’. The year also marked his return to the small screen with MBC’s ‘Medical Top Team’. Even though the drama received low ratings, his performance received a positive response. His leading role in the television series ‘My First Time’ with actress Park So-dam garnered applause.

2016–2020: Big Screen Debut, Solo Music

He made his big screen debut in the 2016 South Korean film ‘Canola’ together with Kim Go-eun and Youn Yuh-jung. After one year, in 2017, he acted in a web drama ‘Somehow 18’ and this JTBC web drama received higher online viewer ratings.

In 2018, he was cast for a science fiction thriller film ‘Illang: The Wolf Brigade’ in Kim Jee-woon’s direction and a mini-drama ‘The Most Beautiful Goodbye’. He released his debut solo music, ‘I’m Home’ as part of a digital music project SM Station on 28 March.

He took a break from his acting career after he was enlisted in military service until 2020, but he came back immediately to resume his place as a SHINee member and actor.

2021–present: Further Acting Roles

After fulfilling his enlistment, he joins back to the band ‘SHINee’ in January 2021 and he also participated in the documentary ‘Law of the Jungle – Pioneers’ in a lead role. Later in the same year, he made a special appearance in the television series ‘Lovestruck in the City’ and ‘Yumi’s Cells’.

In 2022, he starred in the horror film ‘New Normal’ and in the Netflix series ‘The Fabulous’ alongside Chae Soo-bin. Min-ho’s debut solo extended play, ‘Chase’ was released on 6 December 2022. Recently, in January 2023, he embarked on a fan meeting tour from the Philippines to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan.

Achievements

The most active actor, Min-ho, in the South Korean industry, was listed among the highest-paid advertising models, receiving 300 million won at his annual advertising rate in 2014. In November 2017, Min-ho and the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, went to attend an event arranged at the US government office in Korea to promote the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Endorsements

• In 2011, he was named as an ambassador for Youth 2011.
• In 2014, he was appointed as one of the UNICEF Unihero Campaign Ambassadors along with South Korean singer and actress Yoona.
• In 2015, he was selected as a model for the NY luxury fashion brand ‘Coach’ and attended the Coach 2016 S/S fashion show in New York.
• In 2016, he was part of UNICEF’s #Imagine campaign to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Listed among the best-dressed celebrities in Gucci’s 2017 F/W fashion show in Milan and Givenchy’s 2018 fashion show in Paris.
• In 2018, he was chosen as the official face of the biggest shopping event in Korea, Korea Sale Festa.
• In July 2021, the Korean Professional Football Federation appointed Choi Min-ho as one of five K-League Ambassadors to promote the league to the public.
• Appeared as a virtual figure in the immersive cultural project, Age of Light 2022.
• A French company Pernod Ricard Korea selected Choi Min-ho and Ju Ji-hoon as new brand ambassadors of Ballantine’s, a classic whisky brand.
• In 2023, he appeared as the face of a Belgian-based international chocolate maker,  Godiva.

Military Life

On 15 April 2019, he enlisted in the Marine Corps for his mandatory military service. He was honoured as an exemplary marine soldier by the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and was discharged on 15 November 2020 reclaiming his place in the boy band ‘SHINee’ and continued to appear in more projects.

Personal Life

Choi Min-ho is making a name for himself in the world of K-Dramas with his stunning features and undeniable charm. He once shared that his ideal girl had to be someone with a vibrant and happy aura. Although he is rumoured to be dating South Korean singer Sulli, he hasn’t confirmed the relationship.

He once shared that he anticipates a person with a happy and vibrant aura, self-confidence, and passion for her work and as of 2023, Choi Min-ho is not dating anyone.

Net Worth & Lifestyle

This renowned rapper, actor, and model is a genuine person who keeps healthier relationships with his fans. Being a model for luxury fashion brands, he has a bold sense of fashion. He has a passion for travelling with a strong impression of Singapore’s good food and fantastic weather.

Min-ho is well-known for being part of the most popular and best-selling Korean boy band ‘SHINee’ in South Korea. Apart from his 13-year-long music career and feature films, he earned an impressive asset of $10 million through various endorsements and ambassadorships.

Philanthropy

The majority of South Korean celebrities are benevolent despite their popularity, wealth, and busy schedules, and love to help the needy without making a big deal about it. In March 2023, Choi Min-ho donated 5 million won to aid the Love Hometown project in Cheongju North Chungcheong Province.

Awards

• SBS Entertainment Awards – 2010
  Best Newcomer in a Variety Show, ‘Star King’
  
• SBS Drama Awards – 2012
  New Star Award, ‘To the Beautiful You’
  Best Couple Award, Choi Min-ho with Sulli
• MBC Entertainment Awards – 2014 & 2015
  Popularity Award (Music Talk Show), ‘Show! Music Core’
• Busan International Film Festival – 2017
  Marie Claire Asia Star Awards: Face of Asia Award
• Indonesian Television Awards – 2017
  Special Award
• Asia Artist Awards – 2018
  Asia Brilliant Award
• Golden Cinema Film Festival – 2021
  Jury’s Special Prize, ‘The Battle of Jangsari’

Interesting Facts about Choi Min-ho

1. Choi Min-ho has an ISTP personality trait as he enjoys hands-on projects and physical challenges in his career.
2. He was street-cast by SM Entertainment while he was dining at the ski resort with his brother.
3. Since childhood, he dreamt of becoming a football player probably because his father is a famous South Korean football coach.
4. He is a prominent lyricist in the South Korean boy band ‘SHINee’.
5.  He picks out a fragrance that goes with the scent of the weather of the day.
6. He has a competitive nature and is probably an inspiration from his ambitious elder brother.
7. He trained in high jumping for his role as high jump gold medalist for the drama ‘To the Beautiful You’ in 2012 and set a personal record of jumping as high as 68.8 inches.
8. During his trainee period in SM Entertainment, he learned moonwalk dance from South Korean rapper Shindong, whom he met in the boy band ‘Super Junior’.

FAQs

1. How old is Choi Min-ho?
   31 years old.
2. How tall is Choi Min-ho?
   He is 181 cm tall.
3. What is the Zodiac sign of Choi Min-ho?
   Sagittarius.
4. What is the birthplace of Choi Min-ho?
   He was born in Incheon, a city located in northwestern South Korea.
5. What is Choi Min-ho’s free time hobby?
   He is an athletic type of person who loves to play golf.
6. What is Choi Min-ho’s Instagram ID?
   His official Instagram ID is choiminho_1209 with 3 million followers.