What makes Minho a unique teen romance male lead:
1. Heโs the โMean but Not Maliciousโ Type
A lot of teen series have the classic bad boy male lead whoโs brooding, mysterious, and sometimes outright toxic (cough Nate Jacobs from Euphoria or Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl). But Minho? Heโs different.
Yes, he starts off snarky and arrogant, but heโs never cruel. His โmeanโ moments are more about sass, self-confidence, and playful teasing rather than being manipulative or emotionally unavailable. Heโs that guy who thinks heโs all thatโbut is actually really soft underneath it all.
2. Heโs a Himbo, But a Smart One
Minho gives off major himbo energyโheโs rich, ridiculously good-looking, and very aware of it. But unlike a lot of stereotypical โdumb jocksโ in teen dramas (think Reggie from Riverdale), Minho actually has depth. He has goals, he cares about his friends, and despite his superficial exterior, heโs pretty emotionally perceptiveโespecially when it comes to Kitty.
3. His Character Growth Feels Earned
Some male leads in teen series tend to change too quickly once they develop feelings for the female lead. (Looking at you, Hardin from After). But Minhoโs growth is gradual and believable. He doesnโt just flip a switch from โannoying rich boyโ to โperfect boyfriend material.โ Instead, his feelings for Kitty creep up on him, and you can see the shift in how he interacts with her.
He still teases her, but it becomes more affectionate. He still acts cocky, but you start noticing those small, vulnerable momentsโlike the Chuseok kitchen sceneโwhere he actually lets his guard down.
4. Heโs Unapologetically Dramatic
Minho is extra in a way that most teen drama male leads arenโt. Heโs not just confidentโheโs theatrical. From his grand entrances to his over-the-top reactions, he brings a comedic flair that makes him entertaining without making him a joke.
A lot of teen drama male leads tend to be serious, broody, or deeply angsty. Minho, on the other hand, brings comedic energy while still being emotionally compelling.
5. Heโs Stylish & Unapologetically Metrosexual
Unlike the usual rugged, broody, or athletic male leads in teen series (think Nate from Euphoria or Conrad from The Summer I Turned Pretty), Minho embraces fashion, skincare, and self-care in a way that isnโt played off as a joke.
A lot of male leads in Western teen dramas either:
โ Stick to basic, "masculine" fashion (hoodies, leather jackets, plain tees)
โ Look effortlessly disheveled (the whole โhot but doesnโt careโ aesthetic)
โ Avoid anything remotely โfeminineโ to maintain their "tough" image
Minho, on the other hand, is deliberately put together. Heโs well-groomed, he cares about his appearance, and he fully owns it. From his tailored fits to his expensive skincare routine, he has a level of self-awareness and confidence that makes him unique. Instead of needing to be macho, he leans into a softer masculinity, which is refreshing.
6. Heโs Not the Broody, Emotionally-Closed-Off Male Lead
Most classic teen romance male leads fall into one of these categories:
- The dark, brooding, emotionally unavailable love interest (Conrad from TSITP, Hardin from After)
- The soft, nerdy best friend who secretly loves the female lead (Ben from Never Have I Ever)
- The overprotective, jock-type boyfriend (Noah from The Kissing Booth)
Minho doesnโt fit into any of these boxes. Yes, he starts off as a bit of a snarky, rich-boy, but heโs not emotionally closed-off. He expresses himself, he reacts dramatically, and heโs not afraid to show his feelings, whether itโs through humor, frustration, or genuine care.
His emotional openness, combined with his flair for the dramatic, makes him feel more alive compared to brooding, silent male leads who struggle to express affection.
7. He Exudes Non-Traditional Masculinity
Most male leads in teen dramas stick to a traditionally masculine aestheticโeither super muscular (Noah from The Kissing Booth) or effortlessly scruffy and rebellious (JJ from Outer Banks). Even the ones who are more โsoft boyโ (like Josh from To All the Boys Iโve Loved Before) tend to be written in a way that contrasts them against a tougher male lead.
Minho, however, balances both masculine and non-masculine traits in a way that makes him unique:
โ Heโs confident, but not aggressively dominant.
โ Heโs fashionable and expressive, but not reduced to a stereotype.
โ Heโs attractive, but not in the rugged bad boy wayโhis appeal comes from his charisma, playfulness, and charm.
His character doesnโt need to be hyper-masculine to be desirable, which is a refreshing departure from traditional male leads. Heโs proof that a guy can be well-dressed, expressive, and a little flamboyant while still being a compelling love interest.
8. Heโs Secure in Himself (Without Trying to Prove Anything)
Minho never tries to โproveโ his masculinity. A lot of teen male leads are obsessed with dominanceโwhether itโs through fighting, being emotionally unavailable, or acting like they donโt care about anything.
But Minho? He doesnโt need to do that. Heโs secure in himself. He knows heโs attractive. He knows heโs stylish. And he owns it. He can be extra, dramatic, and funny, but it doesnโt make him any less confident or appealing.
This is what makes him stand out from the usual teen romance male leadโhe doesnโt fall into outdated ideas of what it means to be a man. Heโs just him, and thatโs enough.
