Actor Lee Min-ho was named the favorite Korean actor by international fans for the 13th straight year in the 2026 Overseas Hallyu Survey released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. He received 7.1 percent support in a poll of 27,400 viewers across 30 countries.
Lee Min-ho placed second overall among influential Korean Wave figures behind BTS, but topped the Asia-Pacific region with 6.1 percent support compared to BTS at 5.8 percent. The survey ran from November to December 2025.
His recent projects 'When the Stars Gossip' and 'Omniscient Reader' underperformed domestically, with the former space drama drawing ratings of only 1 to 2 percent despite a 50 billion won budget. Yet his global standing holds steady.
Early hits 'Boys Over Flowers' from 2009 and 'The Heirs' from 2013 continue to serve as entry points for new international viewers. Lee Hyun-ji of KOFICE noted that this first exposure shapes lasting perceptions of Korean culture.
His casting as lead in the Apple TV+ series 'Pachinko' reflects streaming platforms' focus on his worldwide audience.
