Lee Min Ho, one of South Korea’s most celebrated actors, is reportedly facing an unexpected challenge as ticket sales for his upcoming fan meeting event, part of the MINHOVERSE Asia Tour, have fallen significantly short of expectations. With only 51 per cent of the 2,500 available seats sold for the Seoul event, concerns are growing about whether the actor’s star power is waning following the lackluster performance of his recent drama, When the Stars Gossip.
Slow Ticket Sales for MINHOVERSE Asia Tour
The MINHOVERSE Asia Tour, which kicks off on March 8, 2025, at the Olympic Hall in Seoul, marks Lee Min Ho’s first Asia tour in eight years. Despite the anticipation surrounding the event, ticket sales have been underwhelming. Reports indicate that both the first and second-floor sections of the venue are far from being sold out, a surprising development for an actor of Lee Min Ho’s stature.
The tour is scheduled to visit several major cities, including Bangkok, Macau, Taipei, Jakarta, Manila, and Tokyo. However, the slow ticket sales in Seoul have raised questions about whether the actor’s popularity is declining, especially when compared to his peers.
Comparisons with Kim Soo Hyun and Lee Jong Suk
The situation has sparked comparisons with other A-list actors of Lee Min Ho’s generation. For instance, Kim Soo Hyun recently sold out 4,500 seats for his fan meeting, while Lee Jong Suk, despite being less active in recent years, managed to sell 2,000 tickets for his event. These comparisons have further fueled speculation about Lee Min Ho’s current standing in the industry.
Impact of “When the Stars Gossip”
One possible factor behind the lack of enthusiasm for Lee Min Ho’s fan meeting could be the disappointing performance of his recent drama, When the Stars Gossip. The sci-fi series, which aired in 2024, faced widespread criticism for its storyline, visual effects, and dialogues. Despite a massive production budget of 50 billion KRW (approximately 34 million USD), the drama struggled to attract viewers.
The show’s highest rating was 3.9 per cent in its second episode, but it saw a steady decline thereafter, failing to recover. One of the most controversial aspects of the drama was a CGI-heavy bed scene between Lee Min Ho’s character, Gong Ryong, and Gong Hyo Jin’s character, Eve Kim. The scene, along with its dialogue, was criticized as “weird,” “outdated,” and “tacky,” further damaging the show’s reputation.
Despite the current challenges, Lee Min Ho has several projects in the pipeline that could help him regain his footing. He is set to star in the highly anticipated action-fantasy film Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, based on the popular webtoon of the same name. The film also features a star-studded cast, including Ahn Hyo Seop, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, Chae Soo Bin, Nana, and Shin Seung Ho.
The success of this project could play a crucial role in determining whether Lee Min Ho can bounce back from the recent setbacks.
Fan Reactions and Industry Speculation
Fans and industry insiders are divided over the reasons behind the slow ticket sales. Some attribute it to the underwhelming response to When the Stars Gossip, while others believe that the long gap since Lee Min Ho’s last fan meeting may have affected demand. Regardless of the cause, the situation has undoubtedly raised concerns about the actor’s future prospects.
Lee Min Ho’s current predicament highlights the challenges even top-tier actors face in maintaining their popularity in a highly competitive industry. While the slow ticket sales for his fan meeting and the criticism of When the Stars Gossip have cast a shadow over his career, his upcoming projects, particularly Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint, could provide an opportunity for redemption.
Saikat Nandy is an entertainment news writer who covers the latest trends and stories from the world of showbiz, has a keen eye for spotting the most interesting and relevant topics, and delivers them to his audience with flair and humor. He is also a freelance blogger, content writer, and website designer who loves to explore new technologies and creative ideas.
