What Happened to Sang Heon Lee?
Sang Heon Lee is a South Korean actor and model who rose to international prominence with his debut role as Min Ho in the 2023 Netflix series 'XO, Kitty'. He has since expanded his filmography with roles in the film 'Gran Turismo' (2023) and the Viu series 'Secret Ingredient' (2024), and is currently starring in 'XO, Kitty' Season 3, which premiered in April 2026.
Quick Answer
Sang Heon Lee is a South Korean actor who gained significant recognition for his breakout role as Min Ho in Netflix's 'XO, Kitty' in 2023. Following his debut, he appeared in the biographical film 'Gran Turismo' and the Filipino romantic series 'Secret Ingredient'. As of April 2026, Lee is actively promoting and starring in the third season of 'XO, Kitty', which premiered on April 2, 2026, solidifying his presence in both Korean and international entertainment.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Born in Seoul, South Korea
Sang Heon Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea, and later spent much of his childhood and teenage years in Hong Kong due to his father's work.
Graduated from University of Northampton
Lee graduated from the University of Northampton in England, where he majored in Drama.
Completed Military Service and Began Modeling
After university, Lee returned to South Korea to complete his mandatory military service in the Republic of Korea Air Force. He then worked as a model and took on small acting roles before his major debut.
Debut in 'XO, Kitty'
Sang Heon Lee made his official acting debut as Min Ho in the Netflix series 'XO, Kitty', gaining international recognition. His sister, Gia Kim, also starred in the series.
Film Debut in 'Gran Turismo'
Lee made his film debut with a role as Joo Hwan Lee in the biographical film 'Gran Turismo', released in August 2023.
Starred in 'Secret Ingredient'
He starred as Goo Ha Jun in the Filipino romantic series 'Secret Ingredient' by Viu, expanding his work to Asian streaming platforms.
Confirmed for 'XO, Kitty' Season 2
Lee was confirmed to reprise his role as Min Ho in the second season of 'XO, Kitty'.
Attended 2026 Unforgettable Awards
Sang Heon Lee attended the 2026 Unforgettable Awards in Los Angeles, California.
Attended Vanity Fair's 'The 2026 Vanities Party'
Lee was present at Vanity Fair's 'The 2026 Vanities Party: A Night for Young Hollywood' in Los Angeles.
Guest on 'Daebak Show' with Eric Nam
He appeared as a guest on the 'Daebak Show' with Eric Nam, discussing his career, 'XO, Kitty', and personal interests like rock climbing.
XO, Kitty Season 3 Premieres
The highly anticipated third season of Netflix's 'XO, Kitty' premiered, with Sang Heon Lee reprising his role as Min Ho.
Participated in BuzzFeed Puppy Interview
Sang Heon Lee, alongside co-star Anna Cathcart, participated in a BuzzFeed puppy interview to promote 'XO, Kitty' Season 3, discussing their characters and personal anecdotes.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Born on May 21, 1996, in Seoul, South Korea, Sang Heon Lee spent a significant portion of his childhood and teenage years in Hong Kong due to his father's work in the construction industry. He attended Island School in Hong Kong and later pursued higher education in England, majoring in Drama at the University of Northampton. Before embarking on his acting career, Lee fulfilled his mandatory military service in South Korea, serving in the Republic of Korea Air Force as a sergeant.
Lee initially ventured into the entertainment industry as a model and also took on background and reenactment roles in documentaries. His pivotal entry into major acting came through the encouragement of his older sister, Gia Kim, who also became his co-star in 'XO, Kitty'. He secured the role of Min Ho in the Netflix series, which marked his official acting debut in 2023 and brought him global recognition for his charming portrayal and distinctive English accent, a result of his international upbringing.
Following his breakthrough in 'XO, Kitty', Lee quickly expanded his acting portfolio. In 2023, he made his film debut with a small role as Joo Hwan Lee in the biographical film 'Gran Turismo'. The subsequent year, 2024, saw him take on a lead role as Goo Ha Jun in Viu's Filipino romantic series 'Secret Ingredient'. His career continued its upward trajectory with the confirmation of his return for 'XO, Kitty' Season 2 in 2025 and Season 3 in 2026.
As of April 2026, Sang Heon Lee remains highly active in the entertainment industry. 'XO, Kitty' Season 3 premiered on Netflix on April 2, 2026, with Lee reprising his popular role as Min Ho. He has been involved in various promotional activities for the new season, including an interview on the 'Daebak Show' with Eric Nam in March 2026 and a BuzzFeed puppy interview in April 2026. Additionally, he attended the 2026 Unforgettable Awards on March 7-8, 2026, and Vanity Fair's 'The 2026 Vanities Party' on March 11, 2026, further cementing his status as a rising star. Lee is known for being private about his romantic life, appearing to be single as of April 2026, and is also an avid rock climber.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Sang Heon Lee made different choices?