South Korean Actor Lee Min Ho Shares Pictures Of Lavish Presents From Fans On Birthday, Sparks Debate On Fan Culture, Celeb Responsibility, And Its Carbon Footprint.
The Boys Over Flowers and Pachinko star, who turned 38 on June 22, posted an image to social media a day prior, showing decorative balloons, large flower arrangements, and high-end gift boxes sent by fans. "Thank you for all the love on my birthday," the actor wrote in the caption.
he is so precious and must be protected at all costs 🩷#leeminho #happyleeminhoday pic.twitter.com/2dlJuPiEY0
— t. 이민호♡ (@amorelmh) June 21, 2025
While many admirers responded with support and celebratory messages, others voiced strong disapproval.
"At Lee Min-ho's level, it wouldn't be odd for him to politely decline gifts and simply accept the sentiment," one user commented online.
Another added, "Considering how serious the environmental crisis is, proudly showing off balloons and flower arrangements every year feels tone-deaf."
Critics have noted a cultural shift within South Korea's entertainment industry, where numerous stars have begun advocating for a donation culture and mindful gifting over material offerings.
Singer-actor G-Dragon celebrated his birthday last year with a ₩81.8 million donation to the United Nations Refugee Agency, while actor Park Bo-gum has publicly asked fans to "value the thought more than the gift.
" Actress Gong Hyo-jin, who co-starred with Lee in the drama When the Stars Gossip, previously wrote, "For my upcoming birthday, I'll be happy with your warm wishes alone," rejecting the wastefulness of excessive gifting.
"Stars set trends," one critic posted on Korean forum theqoo. "If Lee Min-ho embraced donation culture, his fandom would follow."
However, the backlash wasn't universal. Loyal fans were quick to defend the actor, arguing that he merely shared tokens of appreciation and was not soliciting material support.
"Why is it a problem if fans genuinely want to give?" one supporter commented. "He didn't beg for gifts; he's just sharing joy with his fans," wrote another.
The incident has sparked broader online discussions about what fan love should look like in 2025, as more supporters prioritize sustainability and charity over consumerism.
As of press time, Lee Min-ho has not publicly responded to the criticism. His agency has also not issued a statement.
