SHINee's Minho and his acting career journey
Choi Minho, popularly known as Minho, is a versatile South Korean artist who rose to fame after he debuted with K-pop boy group SHINee in 2008. The so-called “flaming charisma” of the boy band is an all-rounder songwriter, rapper, vocalist, and dancer.
Continuously proving that he's a jack of all trades, Minho made his solo debut in 2019 and released his single “I'm Home.” Since then he has dropped solo songs “Heartbreak,” “Falling Free,” and “Romeo and Juliet” while still creating music with his group SHINee. He has also released his first solo album “CHASE.”
Apart from exuding impeccable talent, Minho is the total package with his handsome visuals. His looks have brought him numerous hosting, modeling, and acting gigs. In 2010, he made his official acting debut in the KBS anthology series KBS Drama Special. He starred in the episode titled “The Pianist” and played the role of a self-taught pianist and piano repairman alongside actress Han Ji-hye.
Minho has come a long way since then and has garnered award-winning acting skills. He was last seen in the Netflix drama series “The Fabulous” alongside Korean actress Chae Soo-bin.
Take a look at Minho's acting career journey in the gallery below.
The Pianist
Minho made his acting debut in 2010 when he starred in the KBS anthology series KBS Drama Special. In the episode “The Pianist,” Minho played the role of Oh Je-ro, a 21-year-old piano repairman and self-taught pianist who fell in love with Yun In-sa (played by Korean actress Han Ji-hye), a 30-year-old music teacher who has always dreamed of becoming a professional pianist.
Salamander Guru and the Shadows
In 2011, Minho starred in the SBS sitcom Salamander Guru and the Shadows alongside Korean actors Oh Dal-su, Lim Won-hee, Lee Byung-joon, Ryoo Hyoun-Kyoung, and Kim Kyu-seon. Minho played the role of Choi Min-hyuk, a computer hacker who was looking for the person responsible for his father's death. His SHINee bandmates Taemin and Key, as well as his good friend Taeyeon from Girls' Generation, had cameos in the series.
To the Beautiful You
In 2012, Minho gained traction from fans all over the world as he starred in the popular Korean drama series To The Beautiful You. He starred alongside f(x) member Sulli and actors Lee Hyun-woo, Kang Ha-neul, Kim Ji-won, Seo Jun-young, and more. Minho played the role of Kang Tae-joon, a national high jump gold medalist who was forced to take a pause due to his injury. He won the New Star Award at the 2012 SBS Drama Awards for his portrayal of the character.
Medical Top Team
In 2013, Minho starred in the Korean medical drama series Medical Top Team alongside actors Kwon Sang-woo, Jung Ryeo-won, Ju Ji-hoon, Oh Yeon-seo, and many more. He played the role of Kim Seong-woo, a good-natured resident surgeon and the youngest member of the medical team. His portrayal of the role earned him a nomination for Best New Actor at MBC Drama Awards.
My First Time
In 2015, Minho also starred in the slice-of-life series My First Time alongside Korean actors Park So-dam, Kim Min-jae, Jung Eugene, Lee Yi-kyung, and Cho Hye-jung. Minho played the role of Yoon Tae-o, a young man living alone. He owns the rooftop that serves as the friend group's hideout.
Hwarang
In 2016, Minho starred in the star-studded historical Korean drama series Hwarang alongside Korean actors Park Seo-joon, Park Hyung-sik, Go Ara, Kim Tae-hyung, Seo Yea-ji, Do Ji-han, Jo Yoon-Woo, and many more. Minho took on the role of Kim Soo-ho, a chivalrous aristocrat who is humorous and overprotective of his younger sister. Minho also helped choreograph the famous Sword Dance in one of the series's episodes.
Canola
In the same year, Minho also made his acting debut on the big screen and starred in the Korean film Canola alongside Korean actress Kim Go-eun and Youn Yuh-jung. Minho played the role of high schooler Han-yi. The film tells the reunion of troubled teen Hye-ji (Kim Go-Eun) and her grandmother Gye-Choon (Youn Yuh-jung) who went missing for 12 years.
Derailed
Minho's 2016 is jampacked as he also starred in the action crime film Derailed alongside Korean actor and industry veteran Ma Dong-seok. Minho played the role of Jin-il, a teenage runaway who makes a series of crimes in order to survive daily life. Fans saw a different side of Minho in the indie film who took on the role seriously and even learned to smoke to portray the character well.
Somehow 18
In 2017, Minho starred in the Korean miniseries Somehow 18 alongside Korean actress Lee Yoo-bi. Minho took on the role of Oh Kyun-whee, an orthopedic surgeon who goes back in time to save his first love Na-Bi (Lee Yoo-bi).
The Most Beautiful Goodbye
In the same year, Minho starred in the Korean drama series The Most Beautiful Goodbye alongside Korean actors Won Mi-kyung, Yoo Dong-geun, Kim Young-ok, and Choi Ji-woo. He took on the role of Jung-soo, Kim In-hee's (Won Mi-kyung) rebellious son. The series tells the story of Kim In-hee, a middle-aged woman diagnosed with terminal cancer preparing her goodbyes to her beloved family.
The Princess and the Matchmaker
Next, Minho stepped out of his comfort zone once again in 2018, taking on the role of a blind man in the historical drama The Princess and the Matchmaker. He brought to life Seo Ga-yoon, a loyal and supportive brother to Seo Do-yoon (played by Lee Seung-gi), showcasing his versatility and depth as an actor.
Illang: The Wolf Brigade
In 2018, Minho also starred in the Korean action and sci-fi film Illang: The Wolf Brigade alongside actors Jung Woo-sung, Han Hyo-joo, Gang Dong-won, Kim Mu-yeol, and Han Ye-ri. Minho took on the role of Kim Cheol-jin, the ace of the special forces unit and the right-hand man of Jang Jin-tae (Jung Woo-sung). The film is a remake of the Japanese animated film Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade.
Battle of Jangsari
In 2019, Minho starred in the Korean action war film Battle of Jangsari alongside Korean actors Kim Myung-min, Kim Sung-cheol, Kim In-kwon, and Kwak Si-yang as well as Hollywood actress Megan Fox. Minho took on the role of Choi Sung-pil, one of the student squad leaders. The film tells the true story of student soldiers who battled during the Korean war. This was Minho's last acting project before he enlisted in the military.
Lovestruck in the City
After returning from the military in 2020, Minho made his first comeback to Korean television by making a special appearance in the romantic K-drama Lovestruck in the City starring Ji Chang-wook and Kim Ji-won. Minho played the role of Oh Dong-shik, a deeply caring and understanding police officer who will cross paths with Ji Chang-wook's character Park Jae-won. The series portrays the real love stories of young people who are living in a complex city.
The Fabulous
Minho starred in the Korean drama series The Fabulous alongside Korean actress Chae Soo-bin. Minho played the role of Ji Woo-min, a freelance photo retoucher who's dubbed as a playboy.
Yumi's Cells
In 2021, Minho starred in the romantic K-drama Yumi's Cells alongside Korean actors Kim Go-eun, Jinyoung, Ahn Bo-hyun, Park Ji-hyun, Shin Ye-eun, and Lee Yu-bi. Minho took on the role of Chae Woo-gi, a junior colleague of Yumi (Kim Go-eun) and the ultimate boy-next-door in the office. Later on, it is revealed that Minho's character is gay. Yumi's Cells is centric on the ordinary life of office worker Yumi. The story takes on a creative spin as it comes from the point of view of the countless brain cells in Yumi's head.
Romance in the House
Minho makes his return to acting in the 2024 Netflix K-drama Romance in the House, where he takes on the role of Nam Tae-pyung, a charming security guard at a popular Korean mart. However, there's a twist--he's secretly the son of the mart's wealthy owner. In the series, his character falls in love with Byeon Mi-rae, played by Son Na-eun.
