Lee Min Ho Talks About Why He Doesn’t Consider Himself A Hallyu Star And How Liberating “Pachinko” Has Been For Him
Actor Lee Min Ho has spoken to the press about his newest drama “Pachinko” 2nd Season as the drama premieres!
On August 23, actor Lee Min Ho, along with Kim Min Ha, attended an interview at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas to discuss the upcoming release of Apple TV+’s original series “Pachinko” Season 2. During the interview, Lee Min Ho shared insights into his criteria for selecting projects.
Lee Min Ho mentioned, “Around my 13th year in the industry, I felt the need for new energy and had a desire not to be confined. It was during this time that I received the script for ‘Pachinko.’ It was an incredibly liberating experience, allowing me to explore and push my limits freely.” He added, “Through this project, I grew significantly, not just as an actor, but as a person. Nowadays, I’m really content, both in terms of work and my personal life.”
When asked if he felt any pressure as a Hallyu star, given that “Pachinko” deals with the Japanese colonial period, Lee Min Ho responded, “I know this might sound simple, but ever since ‘Boys Over Flowers,’ I’ve always made decisions based on simplicity.”
He humorously recalled, “When I took on ‘The Heirs,’ I was 26 and thought, ‘When else will I get to wear a school uniform? I should enjoy this last chance.’ Similarly, for ‘The King: The Eternal Monrach,’ the image of the ‘prince on a white horse’ wasn’t something I intended, but since that image was there, I decided to embrace it.”
Continuing, he explained, “‘Pachinko’ came to me when I was in need of motivation and a fresh image. I had a liberating experience within that role. Moving forward, as long as a project resonates with me, even in small ways, the decision won’t be difficult. I don’t consider myself a ‘Hallyu star’; it’s an image that can change at any time.”
“Pachinko,” based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name, tells the epic story of love and survival through the eyes of Sunja, a strong mother who strives to live with dignity on foreign soil. The series spans four generations, with Kim Min Ha playing the young Sunja and Lee Min Ho portraying Koh Hansu.
“Pachinko” Season 2 will begin airing its first episode on August 23, with new episodes released every Friday on Apple TV+ until October 11.
Are you excited to see Lee Min Ho in “Pachinko” season 2?
