Biography of Lee Min-ki

Lee Min-ki, a famous South Korean actor under Sangyoung, entered the entertainment world as a model-cum singer. Lee Min-ki has had an outstanding acting career with his exemplary talent and skills and is notable for his works, including ‘Monster’, ‘Because This Is My First Life’, and ‘The Lies Within’.

Early Life and Education

Lee Min-ki was born on 16 January 1985 in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. He completed his schooling at Gimhae Hapseong Elementary School, Gimhae Middle School and Gimhae High School. He spent his childhood with his elder sister, Lee Yong-jung, the CEO of MYM Entertainment and his younger brother. Soon after finishing school, Lee Min-ki enrolled in Konkuk University and graduated in Film and Arts. He later graduated in Modelling from Daekyeung University.

Career

Singing:

Lee Min-ki debuted his career as a singer in 2004 with the song ‘Hit’m’. However, he became renowned after performing a stylized version of ‘My Way’ at the 2008 Mnet KM Music Festival. He collaborated with the Japanese artist Freetempo and released a digital single, ‘Power of Love’. Min-ki unveiled his musical debut ‘No Kidding’ on 11 August 2009 and released the album’s title song ‘Eternal Summer’. Working with Gold Coast, he released two singles, ‘Everything’ and ‘Those Days I Had with You’.

Acting:

Lee Min-ki, after honouring his roles in a few dramas, ‘My Older Brother’, ‘Oh! Sarah’, ‘Be Strong, Geum-soon!’, ‘Booyong of Mt. Kyeryong’, ‘Taereung National Village’, and ‘Rainbow Romance’, he gained popularity by appearing in the Romantic comedy series, ‘Love Truly’ in 2006. In the series, Min-ki played the lead role alongside Eugene and Ryu Jin.

Min-ki made a special appearance as a high school student in his debut film, ‘Riverbank Legends’ in 2006. Next year, he played the role of a college student in his second film, ‘A Good Day to Have an Affair’ by Jang Mun-il. The audience appreciated his role in this film, which narrates the story of two lonely homemakers who get involved in extramarital affairs.

In 2007, Min-ki’s prominent role came with the South Korean romantic comedy television series, ‘Dal-ja’s Spring’, co-starring Chae Rim, Lee Hyun-woo, Lee Hye-young and Gong Hyung-jin in the lead roles. The same year, he appeared in the lead role in a low-rated cult series, ‘Evasive Inquiry Agency’, with actors Seung Su-ryu and Eun Seong-lee in the lead roles.

Lee Min-ki made a special appearance in the 2008 South Korean romance drama film, ‘Humming’, starring Lee Chun-hee and Han Ji-hye in the lead roles. He was also seen as Jung-hwan in a romantic comedy film, ‘Romantic Island’ by Kang Chul-woo, set in Boracay in the Philippines.

Lee Min-ki appeared as Hyung-sik in South Korea’s first disaster film, ‘Tidal Wave’, by Yoon Je-kyoon in 2009. Actors, including Sol Kyung-gu, Ha Ji-won, Park Joong-hoon and Uhm Jung-hwa appeared in the film in lead roles. By the end of the year, he played a role as Park Cheol-hee in the 2009 South Korean thriller film, ‘A Million’, directed by Jo Min-ho.

The young and talented actor Lee Min-ki appeared in two films. He was a lead cast as Gi-soo in the South Korean contemporary action comedy film, ‘Quick’ and appeared in the prominent role of Ma Jo-goo in the South Korean horror romantic comedy film, ‘Spellbound’ in 2011.

Lee Min-ki made a comeback to the television series after five years in a guest role in the drama, ‘Flower Band’, co-starring Sung Joon, Jo Bo-ah, L, Jung Eui-chul, Lee Hyun-jae, Yoo Min-kyu, and Kim Min-seok in 2012. The series was about the story of a high school rock band dealing with romance, friendship, rivalry, and their passion for music.

In 2013, Lee Min-ki starred alongside Kim Min-hee in the South Korean romantic comedy film, ‘Very Ordinary Couple’, directed by Roh Deok, also known as Noh Deok. The film was a box office hit and received positive reviews and comments from viewers and critics.

Following lead roles, Lee Min-ki appeared as Tae-soo in the 2014 South Korean action thriller film, ‘Monster’, co-starring Kim Go-eun, directed by Hwang In-ho. In the same year, he was the lead cast as Lee Hwan in the South Korean neo-noir erotic action film, ‘For the Emperor’ by Park Sang-jun. Next year, Lee Min-ki co-starred with Yeo Jin-goo in the South Korean drama film, ‘Shoot Me in the Heart’, directed by Mun Che-yong, based on a bestselling novel of a name by Jeong Yu-jeong.

Lee Min-ki returned to the South Korean television series after a break of four years with the drama, ‘Because This Is My First Life’ starring opposite Jung So-min, directed by Park Joon-Hwa in 2017. It is his first prominent role in television in a decade, exploring various points of view on relationships, marriage, love and careers.

His acting career followed with the television drama, ‘The Beauty Inside’ in 2018, based on a 2015 romantic comedy film of the same name. He was an airline company director Seo Do-jae, who had face blindness after his brain injury in an accident. In the same year, Lee Min-ki was cast in the South Korean action adventure comedy film, ‘Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead’, directed by Kim Sok-yun.

In 2019, Lee Min-ki returned to the mini screen with the 2019 South Korean television series, ‘The Lies Within’, as Jo Tae-sik, a detective, played opposite Lee Yoo-young. After two years, he acted in a South Korean television drama, ‘Oh My Ladylord’, co-starring Nana in the lead role.

Lee Min-ki made a special appearance in a South Korean action thriller film, ‘Decibel’, starring Kim Rae-won, Lee Jong-suk, Jung Sang-hoon, Park Byung-eun and Cha Eun-woo in lead roles. This film, directed by Hwang In-ho, is the latest film by Lee Min-ki as of 2023.

He is all set to play a lead role alongside Han Ji-min in the South Korean television series, ‘Hip’ by Kim Suk-Yoon. The series is about to be released in 2023.