Sang Heon Lee | |
---|---|
![]() Sang Heon Lee in 2024 | |
Born |
Seoul, South Korea | May 21, 1996
Nationality | South Korean [1] |
Other names | Daniel Lee |
Alma mater | University of Northampton |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 2023–present |
Relatives | Gia Kim (sister) |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 이상헌 |
Revised Romanization | I Sangheon |
McCune–Reischauer | I Sanghŏn |
IPA | [isaŋɦʌn] |
Sang Heon Lee ( Korean: 이상헌; born May 21, 1996) is a South Korean actor with a multicultural background. Lee rose to prominence from his acting debut by playing Min Ho in XO, Kitty (2023–present), [2] Netflix spin-off series from To All the Boys films franchise (2018–2021) based on the best-selling young adult trilogy book by American author Jenny Han. [3] [4]
He made his film debut in the coming-of-age sports drama film Gran Turismo in August 2023. [5]
Sang Heon Lee was born on May 21, 1996, in Seoul, South Korea. He has an older sister, Gia Kim ( Korean: 지아킴) (real name Jung Nyeon Lee, Korean: 이정년), who is four years older. [6] [7] Kim also is an actress portraying a fellow main character, Yuri, in XO, Kitty. [8] [9] [10] His sister uses a stage name, which is the reason for them having different last names. [11] [12] He spent most of his childhood and teenage years in Hong Kong because of his father's work. [13] During a podcast interview, Gia Kim states that their father was in the construction industry. [14] While living in Hong Kong, he attended an international school with his sister. [6] [12]
Lee began having an interest in acting from taking drama classes during high school years in Hong Kong, [15] which subsequently led him to major in Drama at the University of Northampton in England for his undergraduate study. [16] He attended the University of Northampton from 2014 to 2016. [6]
After graduating from the University of Northampton in 2016, Lee returned to South Korea to fulfill his military duty for two years. [15] [6] [17]
Upon finishing the mandatory military service, Lee did modeling gigs for a year and a half and worked various jobs. [11] His sister, Gia Kim, suggested Lee submit an audition tape for XO, Kitty, which became his first official audition for a major acting role. Before landing his debut breakout role as Min Ho, Lee appeared in a few projects as a background character and a reenactment actor in documentaries. [1] [6] [11]
Shortly after appearing in XO, Kitty, Lee plays a small role in a biographical film, Gran Turismo (2023), based on Jann Mardenborough's life and career as a professional race car driver, alongside David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, and Archie Madekwe, set to be released on August 11, 2023. [5] [18]
On June 14, 2023, Netflix announced the renewal of XO, Kitty for the season two; Lee will reprise his role as Min Ho. [19] [20]
In 2024, Lee will be working with Filipina actress Julia Barretto and Indonesian actor Nicholas Saputra on a food-inspired romantic-comedy project of Viu, a 6 episodes series titled Secret Ingredient. [21] [22]
Lee is an avid rock climber, and has a separate Instagram account dedicated to his climbing activity. [15] [11]
During XO, Kitty press interviews, he mentions that he shares an affinity towards food, cooking, valuing friendships, and traveling with his character Min Ho. [6] [13]
He taught himself how to cook properly by watching YouTube videos of Gordon Ramsay during his undergraduate years in the UK living with his roommates trying to live on a budget while learning to eat healthy. Therefore, his cooking skills are more equipped towards Western cuisine than Korean. He also is a self-professed foodie. [15]
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Gran Turismo | Joo-Hwan Lee | Film debut | [5] |
Year | Title | Platform | Role | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023–present | XO, Kitty | Netflix | Min Ho | [23] |
2024 | Secret Ingredient | Viu | Hajoon | [24] |
Sang Heon Lee | |
---|---|
![]() Sang Heon Lee in 2024 | |
Born |
Seoul, South Korea | May 21, 1996
Nationality | South Korean [1] |
Other names | Daniel Lee |
Alma mater | University of Northampton |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 2023–present |
Relatives | Gia Kim (sister) |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 이상헌 |
Revised Romanization | I Sangheon |
McCune–Reischauer | I Sanghŏn |
IPA | [isaŋɦʌn] |
Sang Heon Lee ( Korean: 이상헌; born May 21, 1996) is a South Korean actor with a multicultural background. Lee rose to prominence from his acting debut by playing Min Ho in XO, Kitty (2023–present), [2] Netflix spin-off series from To All the Boys films franchise (2018–2021) based on the best-selling young adult trilogy book by American author Jenny Han. [3] [4]
He made his film debut in the coming-of-age sports drama film Gran Turismo in August 2023. [5]
Sang Heon Lee was born on May 21, 1996, in Seoul, South Korea. He has an older sister, Gia Kim ( Korean: 지아킴) (real name Jung Nyeon Lee, Korean: 이정년), who is four years older. [6] [7] Kim also is an actress portraying a fellow main character, Yuri, in XO, Kitty. [8] [9] [10] His sister uses a stage name, which is the reason for them having different last names. [11] [12] He spent most of his childhood and teenage years in Hong Kong because of his father's work. [13] During a podcast interview, Gia Kim states that their father was in the construction industry. [14] While living in Hong Kong, he attended an international school with his sister. [6] [12]
Lee began having an interest in acting from taking drama classes during high school years in Hong Kong, [15] which subsequently led him to major in Drama at the University of Northampton in England for his undergraduate study. [16] He attended the University of Northampton from 2014 to 2016. [6]
After graduating from the University of Northampton in 2016, Lee returned to South Korea to fulfill his military duty for two years. [15] [6] [17]
Upon finishing the mandatory military service, Lee did modeling gigs for a year and a half and worked various jobs. [11] His sister, Gia Kim, suggested Lee submit an audition tape for XO, Kitty, which became his first official audition for a major acting role. Before landing his debut breakout role as Min Ho, Lee appeared in a few projects as a background character and a reenactment actor in documentaries. [1] [6] [11]
Shortly after appearing in XO, Kitty, Lee plays a small role in a biographical film, Gran Turismo (2023), based on Jann Mardenborough's life and career as a professional race car driver, alongside David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, and Archie Madekwe, set to be released on August 11, 2023. [5] [18]
On June 14, 2023, Netflix announced the renewal of XO, Kitty for the season two; Lee will reprise his role as Min Ho. [19] [20]
In 2024, Lee will be working with Filipina actress Julia Barretto and Indonesian actor Nicholas Saputra on a food-inspired romantic-comedy project of Viu, a 6 episodes series titled Secret Ingredient. [21] [22]
Lee is an avid rock climber, and has a separate Instagram account dedicated to his climbing activity. [15] [11]
During XO, Kitty press interviews, he mentions that he shares an affinity towards food, cooking, valuing friendships, and traveling with his character Min Ho. [6] [13]
He taught himself how to cook properly by watching YouTube videos of Gordon Ramsay during his undergraduate years in the UK living with his roommates trying to live on a budget while learning to eat healthy. Therefore, his cooking skills are more equipped towards Western cuisine than Korean. He also is a self-professed foodie. [15]
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Gran Turismo | Joo-Hwan Lee | Film debut | [5] |
Year | Title | Platform | Role | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023–present | XO, Kitty | Netflix | Min Ho | [23] |
2024 | Secret Ingredient | Viu | Hajoon | [24] |