Cover Lee Chae-min looks formidable in ‘Bon Appetit, Your Majesty’. (Photo: tvN)
Lee Chae-min looks formidable in ‘Bon Appetit, Your Majesty’. (Photo: tvN)
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From campus romances to memorable cameos, here’s every K-drama that shaped Lee Chae-min into one of today’s most talked-about rising stars
Before he won Yeon Ji-young’s heart in Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, Lee Chae-min was already capturing legions of fans with his striking visuals, youthful charm and compelling performances. His cameo in Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow had viewers asking who the handsome young actor was, while his breakout turn as the sweet yet conflicted Lee Sun-jae in Crash Course in Romance showcased his versatility. But it’s his portrayal of Kang Ha in Hierarchy that truly cemented his rising star status.
From romantic leads to darker, more layered roles, he has consistently proven his range and magnetic screen presence. Now, Lee Chae-min takes centre stage opposite Girls’ Generation’s Yoona in what’s shaping up to be one of the surprise K-drama hits of the year.
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‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’
Above Lee Chae-min and Yoona star in the breakout K-drama hit ‘Bon appetit, Your Majesty’.
The Netflix breakout hit stars Lee Chae-min as King Yi-heon, a tyrannical monarch who falls for Yeon Ji-young (played by Yoona of Girls’ Generation), a modern-day chef who time-travels into his court. Fans have praised Lee Chae-min for his performance, calling it a casting coup and finding it especially impressive since he took over the role from Park Sung-hoon (The Glory, Queen of Tears, Squid Game Season 2) at the last minute. Despite having less prep time, Lee Chae-min’s seamless performance and undeniable chemistry with Yoona have cemented his status as a rising lead.
See also: From ‘Squid Game’ to ‘Uncontrollably Fond’: K-drama deaths that broke our hearts
‘Crushology 101’
Above Lee Chae-min and Roh Jeong-eui reunite in this college romance K-drama.
Lee Chae-min reunites with his Hierarchy co-star Roh Jeong-eui in this campus romance, playing Hwang Jae-yeol—one of Ban Hee-jin’s (Roh Jeong-eui) four potential love interests. Not to worry. While Jae-yeol faces stiff competition and his romance with Hee-jin is plagued by insecurity and misunderstandings, this time—unlike in Hierarchy—Lee Chae-min gets the girl.
‘Hierarchy’
Above Lee Chae-min is part of an ensemble cast that features the next-generation of Hallyu superstars.
The teen makjang stars a who’s who of next-gen K-drama actors, including Roh Jeong-eui (Our Beloved Summer, 18 Again), Kim Jae-won (King the Land, Trauma Code: Heroes on Call) and, of course, Lee Chae-min. Here, he plays Kang Ha, a scholarship kid with a chip on his shoulder and a score to settle with the powerful elite of Jooshin High School. In the series, his ability to balance innocence with simmering menace highlights both his range and rising star power.
Don’t miss: From ‘The Devil Judge’ to ‘Trauma Code: Heroes on Call’: meet 6 K-drama mentors and their protégés
‘See You in My 19th Life’
Above Lee Chae-min’s appearance in the drama was highly anticipated. (Photo: screencap from ‘See You in My 19th Life’ / Netflix)
Lee Chae-min’s appearance in the drama was highly anticipated. (Photo: screencap from ‘See You in My 19th Life’ / Netflix)
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In this reincarnation romance, Lee Chae-min plays Kang Min-gi, a mysterious figure with ties to Ban Ji-eum (Shin Hye-sun) and Moon Seo-ha’s (Ahn Bo-hyun) intertwined first lives. Although it is a relatively minor role, his appearance in the K-drama drew attention and anticipation from fans who admire his visuals and charisma.
‘Crash Course in Romance’
Above Lee Chae-min’s breakout role came courtesy of ‘Crash Course in Romance’.
Despite playing a secondary lead in the K-drama, this is Lee Chae-min’s first significant role. In Crash Course in Romance, he plays Lee Sun-jae, Nam Hae-yi’s (Roh Yoon-seo) sweet and earnest best friend and love interest. Beyond the light-hearted love-triangle subplot, Sun-jae’s storyline highlights the harsh academic pressures faced by South Korean students. Switching effortlessly between high-school romance and social commentary, Lee Chae-min showcases his versatility and natural screen presence.
‘Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow’
Above His cameo in ‘Alchemy of Souls’ created quite a buzz with K-drama fans. (Photo: screencap from ‘Alchemy of Souls’ / Netflix)
His cameo in ‘Alchemy of Souls’ created quite a buzz with K-drama fans. (Photo: screencap from ‘Alchemy of Souls’ / Netflix)
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Lee Chae-min makes a brief but memorable cameo in part two of the fantasy epic, playing a young liquor vendor who shares a fleeting encounter with Jin Bu-yeon (Go Youn-jung). The exposure is brief, but the scene was enough for his striking visuals to spark curiosity among viewers, many of whom immediately asked who the scene-stealer was.
‘Love All Play’
Still early in his career, Lee Chae-min stars in this sports romance about two badminton athletes who become partners both on and off the court. Though in a supporting role, he added youthful energy to the ensemble cast, giving viewers an early glimpse of the charm that would later make him a fan favourite.
‘High Class’
Lee Chae-min debuted in a supporting role in this mystery–thriller set at an elite international school on Jeju Island. He plays An Seung-jo, the loyal secretary to the powerful and calculating Nam Ji-seon (Kim Ji-soo). Though brief, the part marked his first step into television and introduced audiences to the young star.
Maggie Adan is a content writer, editor, and strategist with extensive experience across print, digital, and social media publishing. Formerly editor-in-chief at K-Zone Philippines, Summit Books and Content Lab, she has written lifestyle stories covering everything from entertainment and travel to beauty and wellness. A storyteller at heart with a keen editorial eye and a passion for narrative, she contributes to various publications and helps brands create and curate content for their social media platforms.
