The return of Lee Min-Ho to the Philippines has brought forth a multitude of revelations.
The Korean actor shared with the press his innermost thoughts during an interview with Sam Oh at SM's 65th-anniversary celebration hosted by SMDC on the night of October 15, 2023, at the SMX Convention Center.
Draped in a royal blue suit, Lee Min-Ho exuded a kingly aura yet was charming and at ease around his Filipino fans many of whom had been regulars at his past fan meets since the first time in 2012.
What set apart this comeback was his openness to reveal more about himself, including his desire for a private life.
He was both honest and humorous, and, of course, he didn't forget to sprinkle doses of "kilig" to his fans.
For a sampler, when asked about one thing he couldn’t live without, he answered (translated from South Korean to Filipino), “Siyempre kayo. Sabihin ko na po, alam niyo na po ang sagot,” which earned excited screams from the audience.
@pepalerts Because Lee Min Ho fans asked for more videos of him, here it is, with more laughs, more funny quotes, more screams from fans! #entertainmentnewsph #newsph #pepnewsph ? original sound - PEP.ph
How about the secret to his longevity?
Lee Min-Ho, who has part of South Korea’s entertainment scene since 2002, replied, “Of course the secret for the ability for being able to stay for so long is because of your love…
"With the love that I receive from my fans, it allows me, it only makes me to become a better person.
“That is why I myself receive the different energy from my fans, I try my best to return it to them, too.”
Read: Lee Min Ho becomes first solo Korean celebrity to reach 20M followers on Facebook, Instagram
A hypothetical question: if he weren’t an actor, what would be his profession?
He said he may have become a “YouTuber” or probably a “director.”
THE PRIVATE LEE MIN-HO
Now, at 36, the South Korean superstar seems to be past the stage when fame is the end-all be-all of his existence.
Sam enumerated SMDC’s prime properties, and asked him to choose where he would want to reside?
Is it Sail Residences, which is known for its “proximity to the vibrant shopping hub of the Mall of Asia”? Or the Gold Residences on NAIA Road “for luxurious and premium living right across the airport”? Maybe, Glam Residences, “a cosmopolitan home for successful individuals” in Quezon City? How about Sands Residences, where he can see the Manila Bay?
His answer, “Gusto ko lang pong magkaroon ng luxury sa lugar na walang tao. Yung walang hanuman sa paligid ng bahay, nature lang.”
He also confessed that his constant attendance at Fashion Week events was part of his glamorous life as one of the most-sought-after stars, but it’s not the “real me.”
The translator elaborated, “Getting attention from a lot of people, of course, it makes me feel good and happy.
“But in another way, it is also uncomfortable for me.
“Of course, ang gawain po natin ngayon is exemption. Sobra po akong masayang kasama ko po kayo ngayon, pero, sometimes, sadness comes over me, too.”
Having top-billed successful series that garnered global attention such as Boys Over Flowers (2009), City Hunter (2011), The Heirs (2013), The Legend of The Blue Sea (2016, and The King: Eternal Monarch (2020), among others, he’s already happy about what he has.
“Well I can say that as a person, I’m very comfortable, and I do not get anxious a lot.
“That is why for my daily life, I do not try my best to seek comfort because I already experience it so I just live my life.”
Read:
PEP REVIEW: Lee Min Ho is torn between love and duty in City Hunter
The King: Eternal Monarch from the point of view of Pinoy teleserye writer
Interestingly, the man who wants to live surrounded by nature answered “beach” when asked to choose between beach and mountain during the “Fast Talk with Lee Min-Ho” portion of the event.
And even after answering “beach,” he picked “winter” over “summer.”
But between residing in a city or the countryside, he said, “I love the province.”
ON NOT EATING, SLEEPING
Meanwhile, in the "Never Have I Ever" segment, he revealed "I have" when Sam sid, "Never have I ever skipped eating."
Lee Min-Ho admitted, “Sa totoo lang, yung mukha ko po kaso, madali siyang mamaga kaya minsan pag mga ganitong importanteng kailangang paghandaan, pag merong maling nakain kahit konti lang , mabilis pong namamaga yung mukha ko kaya madalas akong nagugutom at hindi kumakain.”
This earned “ohhhh” reaction from the fans, including Sam, who told him, "But you look so handsome today, right? There's no need to starve himself, right? We want you to be healthy, and we want you to be working for a very long, long time in the industry."
He affirmed, he is "sensitive" when comes to food so "hindi po ako basta-basta kumakain."
This possibly explained his photos—showing "rounder" face—that went viral in August.
He continued, “Well I don’t like following a diet. I just don’t eat. When I have to lose weight, I just really don’t eat, but when I have to gain, I just eat a lot."
For his “comfort food,” he said, “Mahilig ako sa karne.”
The “good guy” (his moniker as SMDC’s endorser) is a night owl and the “the type of person that when it comes to the night, my eyes will be light up.”
But if there’s one thing he would like to do, he would like to have more “sleep.”
It seems like he has a sleeping problem.
Laughing, he said, “Nung papunta po akong Pilipinas, nakatulog aso ng isang oras. Pakiramdam ko, napakomportableng tulog iyon na nakuha ko.”
Lee Min-Ho added, “I think the energy of the Philippines is wonderful.
On a lighter note, as part of his daily routine, he googles himself.
Sam asked, “When was the last time?”
He replied, “Before I came here.
“Sine-serach ko yung sarili ko madalas. I do that as a routine daily.”