Sang Heon Lee

In this Korean name, the family name is Lee.

Sang Heon Lee
Sang Heon Lee in 2024
Born (1996-05-21) May 21, 1996 (age 28)
Seoul, South Korea
NationalitySouth Korean[1]
Other namesDaniel Lee
Alma materUniversity of Northampton
OccupationActor
Years active2023–present
RelativesGia Kim (sister)
Korean name
Hangul
이상헌
Revised RomanizationI Sangheon
McCune–ReischauerI 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]

Early life and education

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]

Career

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]

Personal life

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]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
2023 Gran Turismo Joo-Hwan Lee Film debut [5]

Web series

Year Title Platform Role Ref(s)
2023–present XO, Kitty Netflix Min Ho [23]
2024 Secret Ingredient Viu Hajoon [24]

References

  1. ^ a b Yoon, HyoJeong (June 4, 2023). "한국 담은 '엑스오, 키티' 유치한데 빠져드는 'K미드' [OTT 화제작]". 뉴스1 (in Korean). Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  2. ^ McNab, Kaitlyn (April 6, 2022). "Meet the Cast of "To All the Boys" Spinoff Series "XO, Kitty"". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  3. ^ Zara, Janelle (May 18, 2023). "XO, Kitty review – convoluted but charming Netflix teen series". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  4. ^ Oh, Kibbeum (March 23, 2023). "'내가 사랑했던 모든 남자들에게' 키티의 컴백". Vogue korea (in Korean). Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Grobar, Matt (November 17, 2022). "'Gran Turismo' Film From Sony, PlayStation Productions Adds Four". Deadline. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Bradley, Faye (May 18, 2023). "XO, Kitty's Hong Kong-raised Sang Heon Lee on his acting debut – interview". South China Morning Post. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  7. ^ [Play11st UP]Dive into Live with Gia Kim 지아킴, retrieved February 29, 2024
  8. ^ Kim, ChunWoong (May 23, 2023). "'엑스오, 키티', 이상헌 프로필". 금강일보 (in Korean). Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  9. ^ Delgado, Sara (May 30, 2023). "Sang Heon Lee Wanted to Bar Sister Gia Kim From Set for This "XO, Kitty" Scene". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  10. ^ Hwang, HyeJin (June 9, 2023). "'엑스오 키티' 최민영 "이상헌·김지아 실제 친남매, 호흡 잘 맞아 행운"[EN:인터뷰②]". 뉴스엔 Newsen: www.newsen.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d Moon, Kat (May 23, 2023). "XO, Kitty's Sang Heon Lee on How He 'Lived Life' Before First Major Acting Role, Minho and Kitty's Relationship, and Climbing". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Jung, Jinyoung (June 1, 2023). "[IS비하인드] 유리랑 민호가 친남매였어? '엑스오 키티' A to Z". isplus.com (in Korean). Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Bentley, Jean (May 18, 2023). "Meet Kitty Song Covey's New Squad in 'XO, Kitty'". Netflix Tudum. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  14. ^ Fun With Dumb (May 24, 2023). "XO Dummy featuring Gia Kim & Lee Sang Heon - Fun With Dumb - Ep. 237". YouTube.
  15. ^ a b c d Bergado, Gabe (May 18, 2023). "XO, Kitty's Sang Heon Lee Is Your New Favorite Brash Heartthrob". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  16. ^ "These Two "XO, Kitty" Stars Are Real-Life Siblings". Teen Vogue. May 18, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  17. ^ Lee, ChangKyu (May 22, 2023). "'엑스오, 키티' 출연진, 알고보니 남매?..."캐스팅 디렉터도 몰랐어" [엑's 할리우드]". www.xportsnews.com (in Korean). Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  18. ^ Jacob, Teena (May 18, 2023). "Meet your latest K-drama crush, Sang Heon Lee of XO, Kitty". Cosmopolitan Middle East. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  19. ^ Gonzales, Erica (June 14, 2023). "'XO, Kitty' Season 2 Is Officially on the Way". ELLE. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  20. ^ Campione, Katie (June 14, 2023). "'XO, Kitty' Renewed For Season 2 At Netflix". Deadline. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  21. ^ "Julia Barretto, Lee Sang-heon, Nicholas Saputra to star in rom-com series". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. January 21, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  22. ^ Acierto, Drew (February 13, 2024). "Sang-Heon Lee shares thoughts after working with Julia Barretto". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  23. ^ LeGardye, Quinci (May 18, 2023). "'XO, Kitty' Is Every Bit as Sweet As You've Heard—Get to Know the Cast". Marie Claire Magazine. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  24. ^ Mallorca, Hannah (January 21, 2024). "Julia Barretto, Lee Sang-heon join forces in upcoming series". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 20, 2024.