Did you know that before The Eternal Monarch, there were many Lee Min Ho films that caused a stir across film forums?
Officially airing on KBS in late April, The Eternal Monarch (alternative title: The Immortal King | English title: The King) promises to be a small screen blockbuster in South Korea. Alongside its captivating storyline, The Eternal Monarch is also backed by two renowned names, heartthrob Lee Min Ho and the enchanting bride Kim Go Eun.
Brief synopsis of The Eternal Monarch (2020)

The Eternal Monarch revolves around a parallel universe, where King Lee Gon (portrayed by Lee Min Ho) constantly tries to thwart the evil forces attacking the human world. In what seems like an impossible task, Lee Gon must accompany Jung Tae Eul (portrayed by Kim Go Eun) to close the door connecting the two worlds. Throughout the journey, they develop feelings for each other and uncover many secrets.
As the brainchild of Kim Eun Sook - the mastermind behind many hit TV dramas like Descendants of the Sun, Mr. Sunshine, Goblin..., The Immortal King promises to deliver jaw-dropping visuals and a mysterious yet romantic storyline. The series will be simulcast on SBS and Netflix, so #teamKlook, remember to tune in.
You may already know (but Klook wants to remind you): Lee Min Ho is the ratings guarantee legend, pocketing quite a few masterpieces that have stirred up film forums. Don't believe it? Let Klook enlighten you on the extremely famous Lee Min Ho films he starred in!
1. Boys Over Flowers (2009)

If you've ever been enchanted by the love story of Goo Jun Pyo and Geum Jan Di, chances are you've... become a parent. Even though it's just a remake from the Taiwanese series of the same name, Boys Over Flowers reached an average viewership rating of 28.4% and a peak of 35.7%, a 'monstrous' figure for a high school drama.

In the movie, Lee Min Ho plays the lead role of Goo Jun Pyo - the heir of Shinhwa Group and the leader of F4, a group of four incredibly handsome boys. Fate brings Goo Jun Pyo to meet the female lead, Geum Jan Di, and begin a romantic yet turbulent relationship. Goo Jun Pyo's character is pivotal, propelling Lee Min Ho's name beyond South Korea and closer to international stardom. #teamKlook can watch this high-quality film on Netflix or various other free movie-sharing platforms.
2. Personal Taste (2010)

Following the success of Boys Over Flowers, Lee Min Ho confidently strides into Personal Taste (also known as Personal Preference) - a romantic comedy from MBC. The lucky female lead is none other than the gorgeous Song Ye Jin - who recently heated up the small screen with the drama Crash Landing on You at the beginning of 2020.

The plot revolves around the love story between Jin Ho - a young, talented, handsome architect (of course) and Gae In - the daughter of a famous architect, living independently but somewhat carelessly. Mistaking Jin Ho for a gay man, Gae In accepts him as a tenant in her house, leading to countless hilarious situations. This somewhat 'tragic' fate also helps shorten the distance, allowing emotions to blossom from care and empathy in daily life.
3. City Hunter (2011)

If you think Lee Min Ho is only suitable for rom-coms, you're quite mistaken. Because in 2011, he had explosive chemistry with Park Min Young in the action-packed masterpiece City Hunter.
The male lead, Lee Jin Pyo, is a spy nicknamed 'City Hunter,' raised in hatred fueled by his foster father, Lee Jin Pyo. Returning to Korea with the burden of avenging blood, Lee Ji Pyo coincidentally meets the female lead, Kim Na Na - thus creating a storyline intertwined with action, revenge plots, and romantic feelings.
4. The Heirs (2013)

Just when it seemed like no movie starring Lee Min Ho could make as big a breakthrough as Boys Over Flowers, ta-da, The Heirs (also known as The Heirs) hit the screens and ended with a final episode rating of 28.6%.

Also falling into the youth genre, The Heirs revolves around the lives of 'rich kids,' born with a silver spoon in their mouths. Fate seems to have favored Kim Tan excessively, not only placing him in the lineup of heirs to the prestigious Jeguk Group but also gifting him with dazzling looks and a height of 1.87 meters. Despite this, Kim Tan secretly yearns for family affection more than Michelin-starred dishes or expensive clothes. Right at this moment, the determined but financially struggling Cha Eun Sang (portrayed by Park Shin Hye) appears, stirring up the lives of the rich kids, her cunning, and of course, a hilarious and heartwarming love story.
5. Gangnam Blues (2015)

After consecutive successes on the small screen, Lee Min Ho stormed the cinemas with the film Gangnam Blues 1970. Set in Seoul in the 1970s, amidst a major real estate crisis, with countless dark conspiracies of the underworld and the South Korean government. A rugged and completely 'real-life' Lee Min Ho is a completely new aspect you'll see in the movie. The film earned Lee Min Ho prominent achievements in major awards at the end of 2015.
6. The Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)

If there's any work where Lee Min Ho's name is somewhat 'overshadowed' by the female lead, it's The Legend of the Blue Sea. How could it not when the female lead of the film is the 'big sister' Jun Ji Hyun! This is a romantic, fantasy film inspired by the legend of the mermaid in the Eou Yadam tales from the Joseon era.

The Legend of the Blue Sea begins with the past life fate of Kim Dam Ryung - a talented young official of noble birth - and the mermaid beauty Sae Hwa when he rescues her and releases her back to the sea. Although it's just a momentary encounter, it's enough to create an unforgettable love story, transcending many lifetimes.
In modern times, Kim Dam Ryung is now Heo Joon Jae, a professional con artist, while the once mermaid has... grown legs and goes by the name Shim Chung. A cunning Heo Joon Jae, an innocent yet assertive Shim Chung, and a love story spanning hundreds of years have created a tale that has stolen many laughs and tears from the audience. If you're still 'digging' through Lee Min Ho's films to 'binge-watch,' then make sure to add this one to your watchlist. The movie is now available on Netflix.
7. Bounty Hunters (2016)

Also delivering many action-packed scenes, Bounty Hunters brings a fresher and more humorous vibe compared to Gangnam Blues 1970. This time, Lee Min Ho plays a skilled martial artist and ladies' man who frequently uses his physical advantages to work as a bounty hunter. His life takes a dramatic turn when he coincidentally encounters another group of bounty hunters in the United States. Alongside Lee Min Ho, the movie also features the timeless heartthrob Chung Hán Lương. Definitely worth watching, wouldn't you agree, #teamKlook?
Watching movies doesn't wait. Plan to 'binge-watch' all of Lee Min Ho's films on the weekend. Follow Klook's Blog, Facebook, & Instagram pages to stay updated on news, life hacks, and solo travel experiences. Also, don't forget to share your thoughts on The King: Eternal Monarch or any Lee Min Ho movies with Klook!
'Addicted' to Korean dramas? Check out the list of best Korean dramas now available on Netflix.
