Lee Min-ho Leads Actors in Korea Image Survey as Global Favorability Hits 82.3%

Fourth Place for Lee Min-ho as Korea Records Its Strongest Global Rating

Lee Min-ho ranked fourth among the people and groups credited with improving South Korea's image abroad in the government's 2025 National Image Survey of Korea, the highest position achieved by an actor in the survey's history. BTS, football star Son Heung-min and BLACKPINK took the first three places.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's findings put numbers behind the actor's international reach: 4.3 percent of respondents named Lee as someone who positively influenced their view of Korea. BTS received 7.9 percent, Son 5.8 percent and BLACKPINK 4.7 percent.

The survey also recorded the strongest favorable perception of South Korea since tracking began in 2018. Across 13,000 people in 26 countries surveyed during October 2025, 82.3 percent held a favorable view of Korea, an increase of 3.3 percentage points from 2024.

Lee's ranking brings together two parts of that story: the lasting appeal of an individual actor and the wider reach of Korean entertainment. Cultural content, including K-pop, dramas and films, was the most frequently cited positive influence on perceptions of Korea, selected by 45.2 percent of respondents.

The recognition follows a year in which Lee celebrated his 20th anniversary in entertainment, received a presidential citation and extended his run as the most favored Korean actor among overseas consumers of Korean cultural content to 12 consecutive years.

Lee has remained near the top of the national image survey since its methodology was revised in 2018. His fourth place reflects respondents naming people who improved their impression of the country, placing his acting career within Korea's soft power: the ability to attract interest and goodwill through culture and reputation.

Who Is Shaping Korea's Image Abroad?

BTS led a ranking dominated by entertainment and sport. Son Heung-min, described as the Tottenham Hotspur striker, placed second, showing how sporting achievement can connect with people across language barriers. BLACKPINK's third place reflected the international reach of a leading K-pop girl group whose luxury brand partnerships and large social media following extend its recognition beyond dedicated music audiences.

The full leading group included named performers, political figures and broad categories:

• BTS: 7.9 percent.
• Son Heung-min: 5.8 percent.
• BLACKPINK: 4.7 percent.
• Lee Min-ho: 4.3 percent.
• K-pop idol groups and singers as a category: 3.6 percent.
• BTS member Jungkook: 2.5 percent.
• South Korean President Lee Jae-myung: 1.9 percent.
• Presidents and national leaders as a category: 1.9 percent.
• Comedian Ryan Bang, who is based in the Philippines: 1.9 percent.
• BLACKPINK member Lisa: 1.9 percent.

Lee finished 0.4 percentage points behind BLACKPINK, based on their respective shares of 4.3 and 4.7 percent. His position was the strongest for an individual actor, while the presence of both groups and individual members showed the breadth of K-pop's visibility.

President Lee Jae-myung and the category covering presidents and national leaders brought politics into a list otherwise led by cultural and sporting figures. Ryan Bang's inclusion showed another route to recognition: a Korean entertainer building a career and a close connection with audiences in another country.

Where Korea's Favorability Rose Most

The United Arab Emirates recorded the highest favorable view of Korea at 94.8 percent. Egypt followed at 94 percent, ahead of the Philippines at 91.4 percent, Turkey at 90.2 percent, India at 89 percent and South Africa at 88.8 percent.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the strong results in the Middle East and Africa may reflect a positive setting for cooperation, shaped by increasingly active exchanges between Korea and countries in those regions. Korean brands and perceptions of the country's economic level also played a larger role there alongside cultural appeal.

Thailand and the United Kingdom recorded some of the largest annual improvements. Thailand rose 9.4 percentage points, from 76.8 percent to 86.2 percent, recovering after a sharp fall the previous year. The United Kingdom gained 9.2 percentage points to reach 87.4 percent.

The British result exceeded the survey average for the first time and made the United Kingdom the only European country above that average. Its 87.4 percent rating was 5.1 percentage points higher than the 82.3 percent figure across the survey.

China and Japan remained lower than the survey average, at 62.8 percent and 42.2 percent respectively, although both improved. China's rating increased by 3.6 percentage points and Japan's by 5.4 points. Japan recorded its highest result since the survey began, pointing to gradual improvement in perceptions despite historical and political tensions between the neighbors.

Koreans' favorable view of their own country rose by 8.2 percentage points to 60.4 percent. Even after that increase, it was 21.9 percentage points below the international average of 82.3 percent. Foreign audiences and people living within Korea continued to view the country differently.

Why Entertainment Matters So Much

Cultural content led the positive influences on Korea's image at 45.2 percent, followed by modern lifestyle and culture at 31.9 percent, products and brands at 28.7 percent, and economic development at 21.2 percent. The results showed how entertainment sits alongside everyday culture, commercial reputation and economic progress in shaping impressions.

Hallyu, meaning the Korean Wave, describes the international spread of Korean popular culture. Its growth has helped Korea become known as a cultural exporter as well as a manufacturing economy. A drama, film or song can be an audience's first sustained encounter with the country.

Respondents in their 20s and younger connected most strongly with cultural content. People aged 50 and above were more likely to mention Korean products and brands. Entertainment brought younger audiences into contact with Korea, while the reputation of its products remained influential among older consumers.

The Philippines recorded the strongest cultural influence among the Asia-Pacific results listed, with 69.3 percent citing cultural content as a major reason for their favorable view. Japan followed at 64.4 percent, Indonesia at 59.5 percent and Vietnam at 58.4 percent. Geographic proximity and cultural similarities helped Korean entertainment connect with audiences across the region.

Video platforms were the most common way respondents encountered Korea, at 64.4 percent. Social media followed at 56.6 percent, websites at 46.7 percent and broadcast media at 32.8 percent. Those figures placed digital distribution at the center of Korea's international visibility.

Lee's career fits that wider pattern. Television dramas established his appeal, while international productions brought his performances to additional audiences. His national image ranking reflects the connection viewers made between a familiar screen personality and the country he represents.

How Lee Built an International Acting Career

Lee Min-ho debuted in 2006 and rose to international prominence through Boys Over Flowers, The Heirs, The Legend of the Blue Sea and The King: Eternal Monarch. His audience spread across Asia and also reached Europe, the Americas and the Middle East, making him a leading Hallyu figure both within Korea and abroad.

Boys Over Flowers, released in 2009, was his breakthrough. Adapted from the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango, the drama became a cultural phenomenon across Asia. Lee played wealthy heir Gu Jun-pyo, a role that became closely associated with his rise to stardom.

The drama's success opened doors for Korean content in markets where audiences had previously consumed mainly Japanese or Western media. For Lee, it established the romantic leading role that would remain central to his international appeal.

The Heirs in 2013 strengthened that position. The Legend of the Blue Sea, broadcast in 2016 and 2017, paired him with Jun Ji-hyun in a fantasy romance that drew strong audiences across Asia. The King: Eternal Monarch in 2020 combined a complex fantasy story with the romantic appeal familiar to his fans.

Pachinko marked a change in direction in 2022. The Apple TV+ series, based on Min Jin Lee's bestselling novel, cast Lee as Koh Hansu, a complex character within a story spanning multiple timelines. His performance drew critical praise for its nuance and showed a wider acting range beyond romantic leads.

The internationally acclaimed production also introduced him to viewers who might not have watched traditional Korean dramas. His move between those audiences helped sustain his visibility as viewing habits and entertainment platforms changed.

A Timeline of Roles and Recognition

Lee's progress from a debuting actor to a prominent figure in Korea's image survey unfolded over almost two decades. His major roles and recent honors show the stages of that career:

• 2006: Lee Min-ho made his acting debut.
• 2009: Boys Over Flowers brought his breakthrough as Gu Jun-pyo.
• 2013: The Heirs strengthened his standing as a romantic drama lead.
• 2016 to 2017: The Legend of the Blue Sea paired him with Jun Ji-hyun.
• 2020: The King: Eternal Monarch added another major fantasy romance to his career.
• 2022: Pachinko introduced his portrayal of Koh Hansu to audiences of the Apple TV+ series.
• 2025: Lee celebrated his 20th anniversary in entertainment, received a presidential citation and ranked first among actors for the 12th consecutive year in the Overseas Hallyu Survey.
• October 2025: The national image survey polled 13,000 people across 26 countries.
• January 25, 2026: The published survey results placed Lee fourth among figures positively influencing Korea's image.

Lee recently appeared in the film Omniscient Reader and is set to return to cinemas in Assassins, directed by Hur Jin-ho. No release date for Assassins was given. The projects continue his move across genres and formats as he enters the third decade of his career.

Two Surveys and a Presidential Citation

Lee received a presidential citation at the 16th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, one of the highest government honors for artists contributing to the development of Korean popular culture and the arts.

He also placed first for the 12th consecutive year as the most favored Korean actor worldwide in the 2025 Overseas Hallyu Survey, jointly released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. He ranked ahead of actors including Gong Yoo, Song Hye-kyo and Kim Soo-hyun.

The Overseas Hallyu Survey asks overseas consumers of Korean cultural content to name their preferred Korean actors. The National Image Survey asks respondents to name Koreans who positively influenced the country's image. One measures affection for actors among cultural audiences; the other records their contribution to perceptions of Korea.

Lee's success in both gives a fuller picture of his reach. His 12 consecutive years at the top of the actor preference ranking show lasting audience loyalty, while his fourth place in the image ranking places him alongside music, sport and politics as a recognizable representative of the country.

Lee has sustained that appeal across two decades of changing media habits. His progression from popular television romances to an international production such as Pachinko also reflects career choices that have kept him connected with existing fans while reaching new viewers.

Why the Philippines Has Its Own Leading Figures

The Philippines combined a high favorable view of Korea, at 91.4 percent, with a strong cultural influence on that perception. Its list of people improving Korea's image also showed how local familiarity can produce a different ranking from the international results.

Ryan Bang led the Philippines list at 46.2 percent, followed by former 2NE1 member Sandara Park at 41.2 percent. Dancer and entertainer Dasuri Choi placed third at 10.4 percent, ahead of Lee Min-ho at 8.8 percent and BLACKPINK at 6.2 percent.

Bang, a Korean comedian who became a television personality in the Philippines, represents a form of cultural exchange built through a career within another country. His position in both the Philippines ranking and the international top ten showed the reach of that connection.

Park and Choi's positions also reflected the distinctive entertainment ties between Korea and the Philippines, where Korean performers have developed successful careers and Korean content has found enthusiastic audiences.

Lee's 8.8 percent share in the Philippines was higher than his international share of 4.3 percent. He remained a strong presence even in a market where performers with closer local connections occupied the top places.

The Social Concerns Behind a Positive Image

Around 70 people with a strong interest in Korea took part in detailed interviews accompanying the survey. They included international students in Korea, foreign correspondents and foreign nationals living overseas. Their responses described both cultural attraction and difficulties associated with everyday life.

Korea received its highest perception score, 80.3 points, for being an "innovative country with advanced technology." Scores were lower for "caring for the socially vulnerable," at 66.6 points, and "embracing cultural diversity," at 67.7 points.

The interviewees described Korea as a dynamic cultural powerhouse, alongside a society marked by intense competition and underlying tensions. International students were described as arriving with high expectations shaped by Korean content, then encountering difficulties in daily life.

The interview findings used the following phrase to describe barriers students encountered:

invisible barriers

The interviews also conveyed a contrast between Korea's appeal as a destination and the experience of living there:

a great place to visit, but a difficult place to live.

Social inclusiveness was identified as a major negative influence on favorability. The report suggested that closer alignment with global standards on labor, human rights, the environment and gender equality, together with stronger social inclusion, would matter increasingly for Korea's lasting credibility.

Korean entertainment, technological innovation and economic development continued to generate goodwill. The interviews added a practical concern: the positive image created by cultural figures needs support from how people experience the country and its institutions.

Lee Talks About Change, Responsibility and Privacy

Lee Min-ho described his career in an interview as a movement from gathering experience to understanding it, followed by a renewed period of discovery:

For me, my 20s were a time of experience, and the next 5-6 years were a time of defining what those experiences were, and now it seems to be a time of experiencing something new again.

The actor said that stage had brought satisfaction while leaving him aware of the responsibilities accompanying his career:

That's why I'm the most satisfied these days. I think I'm dreaming of freedom while feeling responsible.

His comments described a balance between the expectations of a large international fanbase and his own artistic growth. Lee also expressed enthusiasm for unfamiliar challenges:

I'm not afraid of trying new things that ordinary people might hesitate to try,

He described the attraction of entering unfamiliar settings and rebuilding his sense of himself through them:

likes throwing myself into new environments and enjoys the process of establishing a new me with that energy.

Lee said fellow actor Lee Jung-jae had become a source of inspiration as he considered how to keep developing:

I'm close with senior Lee Jung-jae these days, and I get inspired by his intense immersion in various things,

He connected that inspiration with the effort an artist brings to work and life:

I often think that immersion and intensity in life can create a different kind of energy for myself.

Lee also said he wanted to keep parts of his personal life outside public view. He acknowledged activities beyond acting without describing them:

In fact, there are many new things I'm doing behind the scenes right now, but I can't talk about them here,

The actor explained that gratitude for his career did not remove his wish for freedom beyond it:

I always want to stay hidden other than as an actor. There are so many things I have to be thankful for just by being an actor, but I don't think that's the kind of life view I personally pursue if I feel more burdened and less free as I open up about other aspects of my life.

Omniscient Reader and the planned Assassins give his interest in different roles a concrete direction. His comments suggest a desire to explore new work while retaining the privacy he considers necessary outside acting.

Korea's government is tracking how cultural figures contribute to national image as the country uses cultural exports to support diplomatic and economic relationships. Lee's sustained audience appeal and fourth place in the survey position him as an unofficial cultural ambassador, with two decades of experience behind that role.

The Bottom Line

• Lee Min-ho placed fourth at 4.3 percent in the 2025 National Image Survey of Korea, the highest ranking achieved by an actor.
• BTS led at 7.9 percent, followed by Son Heung-min at 5.8 percent and BLACKPINK at 4.7 percent.
• The October 2025 survey covered 13,000 people across 26 countries and recorded a favorable view of Korea at 82.3 percent, up 3.3 percentage points.
• Cultural content was the leading positive influence at 45.2 percent; video platforms were the most common point of contact at 64.4 percent.
• Lee topped the Overseas Hallyu Survey's actor ranking for a 12th consecutive year and received a presidential citation in 2025.
• Ryan Bang and Sandara Park led the Philippines ranking, while Lee placed fourth there at 8.8 percent.
• Detailed interviews identified social inclusion, support for vulnerable people and cultural diversity as areas needing attention.
• Lee recently appeared in Omniscient Reader and is set to appear in Hur Jin-ho's Assassins.