The actor, who is currently starring in the Apple TV production Pachinko, is the proud owner of two luxurious villas in the upscale Seongbuk-dong neighbourhood in Seoul
When it comes to the most popular South Korean actors, there’s one recurring name that’s often on the tip of everyone’s tongue: Lee Min-ho. The actor, who currently reigns as the most-followed South Korean actor on Instagram, is often credited for his role in spreading the Hallyu wave all around the globe.
Lee is currently starring in the Apple TV series Pachinko, which also features Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung as well as breakout star Kim Minha. Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Manhattan-based author and journalist Min Jin Lee, the eight-part historical drama has charmed critics and audiences around the world with its heart wrenching story of war and peace, love and loss, triumph and reckoning.
Alongside Pachinko, Lee’s previous work in other iconic Korean drama titles like Boys Over Flowers, The Heirs and The King: Eternal Monarch has cemented his status as one of the highest-paid actors in Korea.
Lee has amassed an impressive property portfolio, which includes not one, but two sprawling villas in Seongbuk-dong, nestled in the foothills of the mountains overlooking the city. Having served as home to royals during the Joseon dynasty, the neighbourhood has retained its prestigious air. The homes of many politicians and leaders of Korea’s conglomerates as well as ambassadorial residences are located in the area as well.
According to Korean news portals, Lee purchased both villas for 5.35 billion won (approximately US$4.3 million). The neighbouring properties sit on a massive land area of 740 sq m. Lee also counts fellow actor Lee Seung-gi as well as Kim So-hee, founder and CEO of popular Korean label Stylenanda, as neighbours within the area.
While the actor has kept a tight lid on his private life, he has shown peeks of his abode through snaps on social media. The modern home is designed with a luxurious mix of various marble materials, while numerous floor-to-ceiling windows allow an abundance of natural light to light up his living area. Lee also clearly has a preference for neutral colours as well as sleek furnishings with streamlined silhouettes.
Besides his Seongbuk-dong villas, Lee also owns various other properties in Korea’s most affluent districts. He is the owner of a nine-storey building located in Nonhyeon, within the upscale Gangnam district. The building is reportedly worth over US$2 million and its tenants include a party room, a gym and a theatre.
Lee also notably owns an apartment in Mark Hills, the luxury condominium development located in the Heukseok-dong neighbourhood in Seoul. Promising privacy and panoramic views, the property is a favourite amongst the South Korean elite, and houses celebrities such actor Jang Dong Gun and his wife actress Ko So-young as well as retired figure skater Kim Yuna and K-pop idol F(x)’s Krystal. Actor Hyun Bin, who recently tied the knot with Son Ye-jin, also formerly owned a unit within the building before selling it to purchase a lavish US$4.3 million penthouse in Achiul Village.
