On June 21, Lee Min Ho shared a photo on his social media thanking fans for the extravagant birthday gifts he received from them. The photo showed a room filled with gifts, flower bouquets, luxury gift boxes, and cakes.
Lee Min Ho's birthday gift haul
Lee Min Ho expressed his gratitude for the heartfelt presents. Born on June 22, 1987, the actor turned 38 this year and is in his 19th year since his debut. Having established himself as a global Hallyu star, Lee Min Ho has regularly shared photos of the flood of gifts he receives from fans on his birthdays.
However, public opinion was divided. Some netizens criticized the gesture, commenting, “At Lee Min Ho’s level, it wouldn’t be strange at all if he stopped accepting gifts and just appreciated the thought,” “Many stars nowadays discourage material gifts and encourage donations instead, but it seems Lee Min Ho still sees gift posts as the norm,” “With environmental issues being so serious, isn’t it embarrassing to keep posting about balloons and bouquets every year?” and “It looks like he’s expecting the same treatment next year.”
Other celebrities declining fan gifts
Others pointed out that his actions stand in contrast to more socially conscious celebrities. These days, many stars politely decline fan gifts and promote donations instead. G-Dragon, for instance, made headlines by donating 81.8 million KRW (~60,156.35 USD) to the UN Refugee Agency on his birthday, continuing his positive influence. Park Bo Gum also gained attention for politely refusing gifts on social media, saying, “What matters is the thought, not the present.”
Gong Hyo Jin, who starred alongside Lee Min Ho in the drama 'When the Stars Gossip,' also declined birthday gifts via her social media in 2022. She wrote, “For my upcoming birthday, I’ll happily receive your heartfelt congratulations, but no gifts, please.” She added, “The carbon emitted during delivery, the cakes I can’t finish at once, and the packaging materials that pile up all at once weigh on my heart. It’s incredibly touching to receive so many flowers and presents that make me feel deeply loved and celebrated, but at the same time, it all feels wasteful.”
Korean netizens' reaction
As more celebrities embrace a culture that values fans’ sentiments over material gifts, Lee Min Ho’s continued “flaunting his fan gifts” has sparked criticism as being out of touch with the times. Many netizens voiced disappointment, saying, “As a Hallyu star, it would be great if he could lead by encouraging donations instead,” and “He’s already a beloved star. Why does he still feel the need to post gift hauls every year?”
Korean netizens commented:
"It’s fine to receive gifts in your early years. Maybe during your first or second year or for something truly worth celebrating. And I get that fans want to give gifts. But when you’ve been around for a while and birthdays keep coming every year, isn’t it a bit embarrassing to keep receiving them regularly?"
"I never thought about it, but the whole process of receiving and displaying the gifts seems like unnecessary labor for a staff member… lol."
"You’d criticize him even if he refused the gifts… Just stay out of other people’s business, seriously. Mind your own life, please."
"Receiving them is whatever, but displaying them publicly feels harmful."
"You may dislike it, but why bring up donations here? It’s not like he’s never donated before. You can find it with a simple Theqoo search. People will just find another reason to bash him."
"Most actors probably accept gifts. Why is this suddenly blowing up into a news article?"
"What is this… Not only Park Bo Gum and GD, but tons of celebrities post fan gifts too. Might as well go after them all. They post about food trucks and coffee trucks, too. Why single out Lee Min Ho?"
"Even idols are moving away from receiving gifts. Actors should learn from that too."
"It just looks so lame."
"At this point, he should be telling fans not to do it. Instead, he’s encouraging more fan tributes…?"
"That doesn’t look mature or admirable… He really does come across as immature."
"Are there still celebrities who do that? He has so much money. Why is he still living off fan gifts? Pathetic."
"Seriously, why are people using this to tear someone down?"
"He’s just been posting thank-you messages for birthday flowers every year, and now all of a sudden it’s a problem? lol"
"It’s not wrong, but it does come off as immature."
SEE ALSO: Lee Min Ho thanks fans for filling an entire room with birthday gifts
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