Lee Min-jung Reveals 'Gangnam Top 5 Beauties' Past & Rejected SM Entertainment Offer
Actress Lee Min-jung has shed light on her past, revealing that she was once known as one of the 'Top 5 Beauties of Gangnam' during her school days and even received an offer from SM Entertainment.
In a recent YouTube video uploaded on the channel 'Lee Min-jung MJ' titled 'From Lee Min-jung's Gold Spoon Story to Flower Boy Casting. Everything Revealed *Lee Min-jung Life Explanation', the actress shared candid stories from her middle and high school years. She recounted feeling lonely after transferring to Hyundai High School alone while her friends went to Cheongdam High School, a period she described as difficult.
"Around my first and second year of high school, casting directors from SM visited me about 2 to 3 times," Lee Min-jung disclosed. However, her father's opposition prevented her from pursuing the opportunity at the time. Her father advised that adulthood was just a few years away and decisions could be made then. Lee Min-jung also admitted, "I lacked confidence back then. I never thought I had talent or could pursue acting."
The actress also reminisced about being recognized alongside other notable figures like Park Ji-yoon of Changdeok Girls' High School, Jun Ji-hyun of Jinseon Girls' High School, and Song Hye-kyo and Han Hye-jin of Eungwang Girls' High School as the 'Gangnam Top 5 Beauties' due to her striking looks. She touched upon her father's conservative views on celebrities, recalling his frequent warnings: "It's difficult to live as a public figure. Success brings problems, and failure brings problems too." Despite his reservations, she pursued acting, and her father still advises her to "always be careful."
Lee Min-jung rose to stardom after playing the lead role of Geum Jan-di in the 2009 drama 'Boys Over Flowers.' She has since cemented her status as a queen of romantic comedies with stable performances in various dramas and films. Known also as a fashion icon, she launched her own brand named 'Lee Min-jung.'