Korean superstar Lee Min-ho returned to the Philippines after seven years and this time, as the new endorser and “Good Guy” of SM Development Corporation (SMDC), the country’s largest real estate developer.
Lee Min-ho is the ambassador of SMDC’s premier high-end properties: Gold Residences, Glam Residences, Sail Residences and Sands Residences.
Korean superstar Lee Min-ho, SMDC's ambassador, at his press conference on Oct. 15 at Conrad Manila (Jonathan Hicap)
The star of the dramas “Boys Over Flowers,” “The Heirs” “The King: Eternal Monarch” and “Pachinko” flew to Manila to grace SM’s 65th anniversary celebration on Oct. 15.
Before the event, Lee Min-ho held a press conference organized by SMDC at Conrad Manila where he talked about his role as the real estate developer’s endorser, lifestyle, career and details about his new movie project that got fans excited.
Lee Min-ho’s last visit to the country was in April 2016 for events in Manila and Cebu.
“For me, I really did not notice that time flew really fast. It has been seven years since my last visit here in the Philippines. But I really felt how my fans really waited for me here when I arrived last night at the airport,”
“Whenever I get to visit the Philippines, I always had in my heart the idea of going to a very quiet island and spending time for myself. However due to my tight schedule, I think I won’t be allowed this time,” said Lee Min-ho.
Lee Min-ho (이민호) is one of Korea’s top stars and one of the most popular overseas.
As a testament to his huge popularity, Lee Min-ho has consistently been chosen as the No. 1 favorite Korean actor globally in the last five years from 2018 to 2022, based on the annual Overseas Hallyu (Korean Wave) Survey commissioned by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE).
orean superstar Lee Min-ho, SMDC's ambassador, at his press conference on Oct. 15 at Conrad Manila (Jonathan Hicap)
SMDC’s new “Good Guy”
SMDC announced in March that Lee Min-ho would be its new endorser.
“SMDC partnered with Lee Min-ho because he emulates many qualities that SMDC stands for: excellence, trailblazing, sophistication, and integrity. His qualities have made him an exemplary, world-class actor. More than an actor, he pursues his potential in other aspects and became successful at them, as model, director, businessman,” SMDC Vice President for Marketing Clorinda Luna-Magtilis earlier said about the SMDC-Lee Min-ho partnership:
Huge SMDC billboards bearing Lee Min-ho’s face have popped up in different areas in Metro Manila.
SMDC “Good Guys” are the self-motivated, hard-working Filipinos whose drive, industriousness and enterprise raise them to a better quality of life. They are also the SMDC residents and employees who volunteer in outreach activities undertaken to serve barangays near SMDC residential projects.
“Home of the Good Guys,” on the other hand, refers to sustainable, cosmopolitan communities that SMDC builds for them.
Lee Min-ho, who has his personal advocacies that help charities and people in need, emulates the SMDC spirit of the “Good Guy” and corporate social responsibility.
About his ideal home, he said, “I think I prefer homes that do not have a lot of things inside. I kinda prefer minimalist homes. But, of course, everything depends on the preferences of a person.”
Lee Min-ho is the new ambassador of SM Development Corporation (SMDC)
When asked about the elements that make a home truly special, he said, “Of course whenever we have a home, through the home we can see how a person is. And the most personal home is the best type of home.”
Lee Min-ho has a huge following in the Philippines. When he arrived in Manila last Oct. 14, fans were waiting for him outside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and he noticed them.
“Whenever I arrive here in the Philippines, though it’s such a short period, I always receive a lot of energy from the Filipino fans. That is why I miss this a lot. As soon as I came down the airplane, a lot of people were waiting for me. There were a lot of fans waiting for me outside the airport,” he said.
In the Philippines, he said he wants to spend time on a quiet island.
“Despite that, I would really love to go on vacation to a very quiet island. I wouldn’t wanna go to islands like Cebu, which is very well-known and very quiet but I would love to go to a secret island and spend time. I think it would be really fun to camp also. If anyone can tell me about these secret islands in secret, I would be very grateful,” he said.
New dramas, movie
Lee Min-ho debuted in the entertainment industry in 2006 through the series “Secret Campus” and celebrated his 17th career anniversary this year.
He has essayed many roles and has maintained his popularity.
“I think the secret to my longevity is first, the ability for those who are waiting for me. And also, whenever I do another project, I do not set a new separate goal, specific objective that I want to achieve but I always try to show my true self and do my best through these different projects too. I think that helps me a lot,” he said.
Lee Min-ho gave details about his two drama projects including “Pachinko” season 2 and a movie.
“As far as I know, by next year, we will be releasing ‘Pachinko’ season 2 and another separate Korean drama. We spent so much time that is best for us to create these wonderful projects so I hope everyone can be excited for these too,” he said.
Lee Min-ho revealed that he has been working out a lot these days in preparation for a movie project.
“These days I have been preparing, we have been preparing for a new project for a movie. That is why I began to work out a lot. However I cannot really say I have a specific routine that I follow everyday consistently,” he said.
orean superstar Lee Min-ho, SMDC's ambassador, at his press conference on Oct. 15 at Conrad Manila (Jonathan Hicap)
He added, “But especially whenever we would do new projects, there are a lot of times when these, my personal schedule and my routine for my work would clash. That is why whenever I have the time or opportunity, I would love to go biking. I would go biking. I would do something. I think I’m mostly on the spot.”
One of his most iconic roles is Gu Jun-pyo in the hit 2009 Korean drama “Boys Over Flowers.” He said despite the fact that it has been 13 years since its airing, there are some people who still call him “Gu Jun-pyo.”
“There are still people who call me Gu Jun-pyo and I’m surprised by this to think that ‘Boys Over Flowers’ was aired more than 13 years ago. It’s really amazing to see how a project that we did so long ago can continuously be influential to people and continuously be remembered by people,” he said.
Korean dramas have been very popular overseas including in the Philippines.
“I cannot specifically say what K-dramas are so loved internationally because if you were to look into that, you would have to be very technical. However, whenever I would receive a new project, my standards for choosing a new project is first, identifying how through this, what type of culture that I can learn, how we can share this and I really want to see if this is really a good project through those different standards that I have,” according to Lee Min-ho.
An addition to his personal projects is the “Lee Min Ho Film,” which is available on YouTube.
“Lee Min Ho Film is a very personal space for me and I would love to use this because people have their emotional side and their realistic side.. Whenever I’m on my emotional side, I use this as a gateway to express how I feel and to show what I’m looking at and what I’m feeling. I do not have any specific plan for this Lee Min Ho Film. I think whenever I have the chance to express this, I use this,” he said.
About feeling pressure in his projects in a good way, Lee Min-ho said, “I think the good pressure that I receive is really helping me a lot.”
“Because whenever I would have different projects, I would go to different fields, work with dozens of people, different staff also use different resources, allows to me to receive this good pressure and keeps me motivated. That is why whenever there are times that I feel loose, or whenever I kinda feel lazy, these different pressures when I arrive at different places where there are a lot of people, or whenever we get to shoot different projects, it helps me a lot and keeps me well,” he said.
Lee Min-ho is known for his charity works and established the Promiz charity platform to help different causes. Among these include the Zero Campaign for zero waste, Safe Umbrella Project and Milk Mustache aiming to purchase milk for children who are waiting for adoption in Korea.
He said he likes supporting children.
“I think I’m very interested in supporting children. Of course they are our next generation and it is very important for us to support our current youth that are really striving and going through a lot. We must also think about our children who will continue the next generation. That is why me, in my own capabilities, in my own limits, try my best to help children and support them as much as I can,” he said.
As Lee Min-ho continues his campaign as part of the SMDC family, he urged everyone to support the company.
“Through this SMDC, we got this opportunity to meet each other. I hope through future projects as well through SMDC, we will get to meet more often. I hope everyone can continuously support and love SMDC. I love you,” he said.