Who is XO, Kitty‘s Sang Heon Lee? Here’s everything we know about the rising star

If you’ve fallen hard for the chaotic charm of Netflix’s XO, Kitty, you’re not alone—but the real magic lies in the actor behind the show’s most polarizing character. Meet Sang Heon Lee, the 28-year-old Seoul-born talent who turned Min Ho from a "rich kid caricature" into Gen Z’s favorite emotionally guarded sweetheart.

From his globetrotting childhood to his unexpected path to stardom, here’s the no-stone-unturned guide to the actor everyone’s obsessing over. Move over, K-drama heartthrobs—there’s a new king in town, and his name is Sang Heon Lee. Gen Z's obsession with his irresistibly cocky (yet secretly soft) Min Ho has taken the internet by storm.

A childhood split between skyscrapers and subway stations

Sang Heon Lee was born in Seoul on May 21, 1996, but his early years were defined by motion. When his father’s job in construction moved the family to Hong Kong, Lee traded the neon-lit streets of Gangnam for the dense urban jungle of Kowloon.

Attending an international school, he developed fluency in English even though he often felt caught between his multiple identities. His experiences with these many cultures affected both his perspective's complexity and his ability to capture nuanced individuals.

Apart from his acquired language skills in Hong Kong, Lee's English developed unexpectedly during his academic years in Northampton when he developed his unique British accent. His adaptability is seen in his performance as Min Ho in XO, Kitty, where he skillfully blends Eastern and Western sensibilities to create a figure appealing to viewers all around.

“In Hong Kong, I was the Korean kid. When we visited Seoul, I was the ‘foreign’ cousin,” he shared. This duality later became his secret weapon: “It taught me to observe people, to adapt—which is just acting in real life.”

His return to Seoul for high school sparked a creative awakening. A shy teen, Lee found confidence in drama classes, where he channeled his love for films into raw, unfiltered performances. Before discovering acting, Lee dreamed of becoming a dancer, inspired by the idea of becoming an idol.

However, a counselor suggested exploring other interests, leading him to film critique and, eventually, to acting. He later pursued drama at the University of Northampton in England, where he swapped kimchi for fish and chips and discovered a passion for British theater.

During his time there, Lee participated in various stage productions, including modern interpretations of classic plays. He credits his professors, particularly those who emphasized method acting, for nurturing his artistic growth, which played a critical role in shaping his acting technique.

From military buzzcuts to Netflix auditions

After graduating, Lee faced a rite of passage for South Korean men: mandatory military service. Stationed near the DMZ, he traded scripts for drills. To cope, he journaled fictional stories and watched movies on weekends.

“I watched Parasite three times and realized I wanted to tell stories that shake people,” he said.

Post-service, Lee dipped into modeling, his sharp cheekbones landing him campaigns for Korean streetwear brands. Notably, he worked with brands like Gentle Monster and Beyond Closet, experiences that helped him build confidence in front of the camera, setting the stage for his acting career.

His sister, actress Gia Kim (XO, Kitty’s Yuri), pushed him to aim higher. In 2022, she sent him an Instagram casting call for XO, Kitty with a note:

“You’re Min Ho. Stop doubting.”

Lee’s self-tape audition—filmed in his tiny Seoul apartment—caught the eye of producers. They were impressed by his natural charisma and the emotional depth he brought to the character, noting that his ability to convey vulnerability set him apart from other candidates.

Min Ho: The role that demanded peeling back layers

In XO, Kitty, Min Ho starts as a trope: the wealthy, sarcastic foil to Kitty’s idealism. But Lee infused the role with quiet vulnerability, turning clichés into complexity.

“[Min Ho is] very fiercely loyal and friendly to his friends,” Lee shared.

He also noted the contrast between Min Ho's confident exterior and his inner vulnerability, stating:

“Behind this mask, he is very lonely towards his family, friends, or his lovers.”

Behind the scenes, Lee leaned on co-star Anna Cathcart. On his first day, Lee recalled hilariously forgetting his lines and not knowing where to stand, but Anna laughed it off and took him for noodles after, helping break the ice. The cast bonded over karaoke nights (Lee’s go-to: Bohemian Rhapsody) and pranks, including a running gag where they hid his climbing gear.

But his closest ally was his sister, Gia Kim.

“Working with family keeps you honest.”

The hidden lives of Sang Heon Lee: Climbing walls, cooking feasts, and the art of being human

Lee’s passion for rock climbing began during his university days in England, initially in indoor gyms before transitioning to outdoor climbing. He quickly mastered the sport, at one point practicing up to four times a week, and often shares photos of his climbs on social media.

His love for cooking stems from his time abroad as well, where he learned to prepare fusion dishes, blending Korean flavors with Western techniques.

Beyond the camera’s glare, Sang Heon Lee thrives in contradictions. After suffering a climbing injury, he discovered painting as a way to cope with frustration and improve his mental health. Lee finds solace in the creative process, saying:

'When I’m painting, I’m not thinking about anything else.' He’s the adrenaline junkie who spends weekends scaling jagged cliffs but melts into a “grandma mode” on set, handing out homemade kimchi to crew members.

His rock-climbing obsession isn’t just a hobby—it’s a metaphor. Co-stars describe him as someone who “approaches acting like a climb: calculated, but willing to leap.” This approach is evident in emotionally charged scenes, where he carefully builds tension before delivering impactful, spontaneous moments.

Lee’s kitchen antics are equally legendary. On the XO, Kitty set, he became the de facto chef, whipping up Korean-Mexican fusion tacos during night shoots. He credits his culinary skills to countless hours watching Gordon Ramsay tutorials on YouTube, and he proudly claims his carbonara recipe relies on 'eggs only—no cream allowed.'

“The most human person in the room”: How colleagues see Lee

Those who’ve worked with Lee paint a portrait of humility masked by dry wit.

Gia Kim and Sang Heon Lee's sibling dynamic bled into the show—improvised jabs, shared eye rolls—but off-screen, Lee’s protective side shines.

Hollywood peers echo the sentiment, with fellow actor Darren Barnet from "Gran Turismo" praising Lee’s down-to-earth attitude and tireless work ethic. Fans are equally captivated, flooding social media with memes and declarations like, 'Kitty better choose him, or we riot,' after his unforgettable airplane confession in Season 2.

"He’s the kind of person who lights up a room but stays humble," Barnet remarked.

Even directors aren’t immune to his charm. Director Kim Soo-hyun, who worked with Lee on an indie project before XO, Kitty, praised his curiosity and willingness to dive deep into character backstories, even inventing details to enhance his performance.

In his own words: Lee on fame, fear, and the fan frenzy

Lee’s candidness disarms. When asked about his sudden fame, he quipped:

“Everything’s happening a bit too fast, but I’m having as much fun as I can.” Despite his quick rise, he remains grounded, sharing blooper reels of his climbing fails on Instagram and even quoting The Dark Knight in interviews with a playful, 'Why so serious?'

But beneath the jokes lies introspection.

On imposter syndrome: “After XO, Kitty blew up, I kept waiting for someone to yell, ‘Cut! We found the real actor!’ My sister finally told me, ‘You idiot, you are the real actor.’”

On mental health: “Military service left scars. Climbing helps, but so does crying in the shower. I tell my fans: If I can ugly-cry, so can you.”

On his legacy: “I don’t want to be ‘iconic.’ I want to be the guy who made you feel less alone for 10 minutes. Also, the guy who invented kimchi carbonara.”

The final word: A star who's just getting started

Sang Heon Lee isn’t chasing accolades—he’s building a mosaic of moments: raw, messy, and relentlessly human. Whether he’s free-climbing a mountain or burning soup for his co-stars, his mantra remains:

“Be curious, not perfect.”

As the world watches his next move, one thing’s clear: This isn’t a rising star. It’s a supernova in sweatpants, and we’re all just lucky to witness the glow.