One of the latest trends among luxury brands is to invite prominent figures from Asian entertainment to fashion shows, turning the presentations of new fashion collections into highly anticipated events even for those not directly involved in the industry.
A regular guest for Fendi is Korean actor Lee MinHo, who attended the Fendi Men FW 2024-2025 fashion show in Milan last January, causing unparalleled excitement as witnessed by the hordes of fans who greeted him upon arrival with cheers fit for a superstar. After all, Lee MinHo, an actor, singer, model, spokesperson, and true social icon, is among the most famous actors in South Korea, known for series that have become hugely popular on Netflix such as the Sci-Fi “The King: Eternal Monarch” or the more recent “Pachinko” for AppleTV+, one American production to achieve global success. He will soon return with the k-drama “Ask The Star,” a Sci-Fi romance set for the first time in South Korea in a space station.
Adored in Asia and loved in the United States, the Korean actor is inevitably highly sought after by fashion brands, as his fans often queue for hours to get their hands on any item he endorses. A guest at the New York Fashion Week for Fendi and the Milan Fashion Week for Hugo Boss in 2022, his presence caused such a stir that the Boss brand publicly thanked Italian fans for the extraordinary welcome given to Lee MinHo, their ambassador.
In 2023, also in Milan, the Korean actor opened the Boss fashion show at the Milan Allianz Mico Conference Center amidst excitement as the Asian star took to the stage. Walking into a room with over 1,000 global celebrities and fashion insiders, on a runway transformed into a futuristic paradise of technological wonders, Lee embodied sartorial elegance sporting a long white coat, a turtleneck, and oatmeal beige trousers. His runway show also remained memorable for the interactive moment with the highlight of Techtopia, Sophia, a humanoid robot capable of reading human emotions and gestures.
Lee MinHo’s passion for the technological world led him to produce a successful digital short film titled “New World, New meta,” belonging to the cyberpunk genre, blending dystopian Sci-Fi and body horror.
Today, Lee MinHo’s career continues to thrive, having recently wrapped up filming for the Apple TV series “Pachinko Season 2” and “Ask The Star.” Never missing a beat, Lee’s impact promises to grow even more, not only in the acting world but also as an influencer in global fashion.
By Alessandra Luti (Photo: Giuseppe Marchione)
