FINDING SUCCESS IN THE ACTING INDUSTRY IS USUALLY A GAME OF PATIENCE. SANG HEON LEE’S CAREER IS THE EXCEPTION THAT PROVES THE RULE. HIS ROLE IN THE HIT SHOW XO, KITTY WAS NOT ONLY HIS DEBUT PERFORMANCE BUT HIS VERY FIRST AUDITION. OVERNIGHT, THE YOUNG ACTOR HAS BECOME A PHENOMENON, CAPTIVATING FANS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. HOWEVER, DESPITE HIS CURRENT LIFESTYLE, LEE ADMITS THAT HIS MINDSET HASN'T CHANGED: EACH DAY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A NEW ADVENTURE. HIS PERSPECTIVE WAS SHAPED OVER THE YEARS PRIOR TO HIS ACTING CAREER, THROUGH EXPERIENCES LIKE BARTENDING IN THE UK AND MODELLING IN SOUTH KOREA. LEE EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF EMBRACING THE MISTAKES THAT ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH YOUTH. IN OUR CONVERSATION, HIS EXCITEMENT FOR LIFE IS NOT JUST PALPABLE. IT'S CONTAGIOUS. FROM HIS EVOLVING FASHION SENSE TO THE JOYS OF GROWING UP AROUND THE WORLD, WE CAUGHT UP WITH LEE TO DISCUSS HIS METEORIC RISE.
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XO, Kitty is such a big hit and already got renewed for a second season. Did you expect this kind of success?
I don’t believe in having expectations. To be honest, I was just glad I made it through my first gig and that it was out. It was surprising to me just how much the fans loved it. And yeah, sure, some people might say that we already had a fan base from the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before movies, but I’m a very sceptical person. You never know with these things. I was just hoping people would love it. I wasn’t expecting much but I’m very proud of it.
You just mentioned this was your first serious acting gig, I’ve also read that this was the first show you auditioned for. What does it feel like to have struck gold on your first try?
I'm not going to lie, it feels weird. I feel incredibly lucky. I know a lot of people that have been working for years or have been trying to debut and be a part of the acting industry. And they haven't made it yet. I'm not saying I made it, but I was able to start in the most amazing way possible. So, I'm just really grateful. I try to tell myself it's not about whether I deserve it or not, it's more like, I have to make the best out of this and not take things for granted. And hopefully, I'll meet everyone else's expectations.
Left Jacket Acne Studios, boots Zadig&Voltaire
Right Suit Louis Vuitton, hoodie R13, boots Zadig&Voltaire, hat Yan Yan
Your character in specific has become such a fan favourite. Why do you think people resonate with Min Ho so much?
That's a good question. I think the audience loves him because he portrays the cocky and overconfident guy, but really, he’s a softie. A lot of people can relate to that. Most people try to act confident, which is good, you got to fake it till you make it. People were rooting for him to be happy because he acts like he was always happy, but he wasn't. He is very vulnerable and lonely. He just wants love and attention.
One of Min Ho’s most recognizable characteristics is his style. Do you think playing a character with such a strong fashion game has influenced the way you dress?
No, not really. I have a horrible sense of style. I used to have no idea of how to dress up until my friends started saying things like, “Oh, can you please dress up like this?” or “Why do you dress so weird?” I don't know much about styling either. I’m still trying to learn as much as I can. I’m starting to sharpen my eye. But for Min Ho, our costume designer did a fantastic job. And it was amazing because she respected my opinion and made sure I felt comfortable.
Left Hoodie, skirt & sock Prada, shoes Miu Miu
You spent your childhood moving all over the world. Do you still enjoy bouncing around?
So, I was born in South Korea, raised in Hong Kong, and then went to university in Northampton in the UK. After that, I went to military service for two years. Then, I did a year and a half of modelling back in Korea which is when I started my acting career. And now, I’m always in and out of LA. But I still enjoy travelling. I do it as much as I can. Because I have lived such an international life, I have made international friends, even the casts of XO, Kitty and Gran Turismo. But I also love to host when they come to visit. Whenever any of my friends come to Korea, I always tell them: “mi casa es su casa.”
How do you think travelling around so much has affected you?
I think it definitely helped me because I became more aware of people's cultures and how different people are. I never get shocked or surprised by a different cultural background, food, clothing or dance. I have to thank my parents for it. They were the ones that instilled it into me. We moved around a lot in my childhood because of my dad’s job. Even while in Hong Kong, I went to an international school which I think helped me a lot at a young age. Oh shit, this is interesting! I think it must have helped me too when it comes to XO, Kitty. The show is placed in one of those schools, I guess that’s why I was so familiar with that dynamic.
Left Sweater Isabel Marant, pants Givenchy, shoes Miu Miu
Right Suit Louis Vuitton, hoodie R13, boots Zadig&Voltaire, hat Yan Yan
Despite your young age, you’ve mentioned that you had time to “live life” before dedicating yourself to your career. You’ve modelled, you went and did your military service in South Korea, you’ve even bartended in the UK… What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
Oh, you know about the bartending!? [Laughs] You mentioned the word ‘lessons’, I’ll add another word to that: ‘life lessons’. I’m glad I have been able to make mistakes. When you’re young, you’re just naturally stupid. That’s when you have to make your mistakes. I’d say those experiences have shaped me. Now I think life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. Every day I try to live life to the fullest. I have the most extraordinary life. I think my past experiences have contributed to that. Whether it was bartending in the UK, cooking barbecue in Korea or working at a warehouse in Hong Kong, they all taught me great lessons.
Do you feel like those life experiences impact you as an actor?
Definitely. I mean, I guess if you’re talented enough you can play emotions you’ve never had. But I think you have to go through something to portray it honestly. You see the real emotions in people’s eyes.
Beyond XO, Kitty, you are also in the new Gran Turismo movie. What more can we expect from you in the future?
Yeah! That's premiering in August. I can’t wait to see the whole cast again. But it’s hard to understand what’s going to happen with future projects. XO, Kitty has been picked up for a second season. But, because of the writer’s strike going on, everything is delayed. Even when it comes to future projects, auditions have kind of stopped. I really hope the strikes turn out well and everyone reaches a point where they’re happy. But, for now, I am going to appreciate my time. I want to reassess everything I have been through and what I’ve achieved in a short period. I want to spend time with my family and friends. Do my little hobbies, rock climb, watch movies… I want to think about my next steps and figure out new milestones.
Jacket & pants Acne Studios, boots Zadig&Voltaire
You've just mentioned your love for rock climbing. While doing my research, I was hypnotized by your Instagram page dedicated to this hobby. What attracts you to this specific sport?
I think it's the adrenaline. I’ve tried a lot of sports: football, basketball, tennis, cycling. And I think I eventually realized I didn’t like most of it. But rock climbing gives me a sense of achievement. The feeling of adrenaline rushing through your body is unreal, it scratches an itch. I also really love the fact that I don’t have to diet because of it. For five or six hours you’re doing a full body workout and the thrill is constant. And then, when you leave, you can kind of eat whatever you like, which I appreciate. I hate diets because I’m a huge foodie. That combined with the achievement level is unmatched.
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Discover the full story in our FW23 FANTASY Issue.
The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Interview by Pedro Vasconcelos
Photography by Emilia Staugaard
Fashion by Jensen Edmondson
Casting by ImageMachine cs
Grooming by Sonia Lee at Exclusive Artists
