Lee Min-ho in Manila: ‘Moment of happiness’

After one and a half years, Korean star Lee Min-ho returned to the Philippines and received a warm welcome from Filipino fans.

- BY JONATHAN HICAP

Lee Min-ho, star of the drama series “When the Stars Gossip,” “Pachinko,” “The Heirs,” and “Boys Over Flowers,” reunited with fans at his “Minhoverse” Asia Fanmeeting Tour in Manila held on April 26 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

This was his first fan meet-ing in eight years, since he held “The Originality of Lee Min Ho” in Seoul in February 2017.

In October 2023, Lee Min-ho, endorsing leading property developer SM Development Corporation (SMDC), went to Manila and attended SM’s 65th anniversary celebration.

This time, it was for his Filipino fans who had waited for his return to the country.

When Lee Min-ho emerged on stage at his “Minhoverse” fan meeting in Manila, loud cheers and screams erupted from the audience as he sang “I Love You.”

He was visibly happy seeing the audience welcome him with great affection.

“Moment of happiness,” Lee Min-ho described it on Instagram.

Hallyu Survey

Since making his acting debut in the youth drama “Secret Campus” in May 2006, Lee Min-ho has become one of the most popular Korean stars.

In the 2025 Overseas Hallyu Survey conducted by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), Lee Min-ho was chosen as the No. 1 favorite Korean actor for the 12th consecutive year since 2014.

The survey was done among 26,400 respondents from 28 countries and territories, including the Philippines, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 27, 2024.

In May, he will mark his 19th anniversary as an actor.

Manila

“It’s been a while everyone. Namiss kita (I missed you),” said Lee Min-ho. “It’s almost two years since I got back here.”