BLUF: Choi Min-Young (μ΅λ―Όμ), born October 9, 2002, is a 23-year-old South Korean actor signed with Saram Entertainment. He rose to global fame as Dae in Netflix's XO, Kitty (2023β2026) and expanded his range with Weak Hero Class 2 (2025). His estimated net worth in 2026 is between $1.5 million and $2 million, built across drama fees, Netflix contracts, and musical theatre.
Quick-Reference Wiki
Choi Min-Young is one of South Korea's most versatile young actors. He debuted as a child actor in 2014 and now holds lead billing on two major Netflix productions. Most international fans know him as Dae β the warm, soft-spoken love interest in XO, Kitty.
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Choi Min-yeong (μ΅λ―Όμ) |
| Stage Name | Minyeong Choi (for international projects) |
| Date of Birth | October 9, 2002 |
| Age (2026) | 23 years old |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Height | Approx. 178 cm (5'10") |
| Education | Kaywon High School of Arts β Dankook University |
| Agency | Saram Entertainment (since April 2022) |
| Net Worth (2026) | Est. $1.5M β $2M USD |
| Languages | Korean (native), English (fluent) |
| Girlfriend | Not publicly confirmed |
Choi Min-Young Age in 2026
Choi Min-Young turned 23 years old on October 9, 2025. He was born in Seoul, South Korea, making him a Libra β a sign often linked with artistic balance and charm. Despite his young age, he has over a decade of professional acting experience, starting at just 12 years old.
Choi Min-Young Height and Physical Profile
Choi Min-Young stands at approximately 178 cm (5 feet 10 inches). His lean build and soft-boy aesthetic have made him popular in both Korean drama circles and international fandom. He maintains a clean, polished look β often spotted in fitted casual wear on his Instagram (@choi_minyeong).
Key physical details:
- Height: ~178 cm / 5'10"
- Weight: ~65 kg (estimated)
- Hair: Dark brown (natural); styled varies per role
- Distinguishing features: Expressive eyes, quiet charisma, natural on-screen warmth
Early Life and Education
Choi Min-Young grew up in Seoul, South Korea, in a city that nurtures creative talent. His parents, identified publicly only as Mr. and Mrs. Choi, supported his early interest in performing arts. He has no publicly confirmed siblings.
He attended Kaywon High School of Arts, a specialist institution known for producing South Korea's top performers. He later studied at Dankook University, refining his craft in performance arts. His academic path was purposefully built around acting and musical theatre β not a typical school-to-agency pipeline.
Career Timeline: From Child Actor to Netflix Lead
Choi Min-Young's career is a case study in patience and layered skill-building. He didn't start with lead roles. He built credibility through years of supporting work before landing global recognition.
Early Roles (2014β2021)
- 2014 β Acting debut in Magic Thousand Characters (KBS2)
- 2016 β The Promise as Young Kang Tae-joon; Entertainer as Lee Gyeong-soo; W as Kang Cheol's younger brother
- 2017 β Strong Girl Bong-soon (supporting role)
- 2018 β Mr. Sunshine as young Gu Dong-mae (tvN)
- 2020 β Itaewon Class as young Jang Dae-hee (JTBC); Sweet Munchies (minor role)
- 2020 β Won Grand Prize at the 6th DIMF Musical Star Awards β a major milestone in Korean musical theatre
- 2021 β You Are My Spring as young Chae Joon (tvN)
Breakthrough (2022)
- 2022 β Twenty-Five Twenty-One (tvN) as Baek Yi-hyun, younger brother of Nam Joo-hyuk's character. This role earned him serious attention in South Korea.
- 2022 β Signed an exclusive contract with Saram Entertainment (April 2022)
- 2022 β Supporting role in the film Dream Palace
π‘ For more rising Korean actor profiles, see Henry Samuel: Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Family on BigWriteHook.
Global Breakthrough (2023β2026)
- 2023 β Cast as Dae (Kim Dae-heon) in Netflix's XO, Kitty β his first bilingual lead role. The series is a spin-off of To All the Boys I've Loved Before and debuted to massive global viewership.
- 2025 β Weak Hero Class 2 (Netflix) as Seo Jun-tae β a morally complex bully who transforms. Executive producer Han Jun-hee called the character a "true weak hero." The first season of Weak Hero ranked 2nd in Netflix's global TOP 10 non-English series.
- 2026 β Continued in XO, Kitty (Season 3 episodes, per IMDB), maintaining his position as one of Korea's most in-demand young actors.
Choi Min-Young Net Worth (2026)
Choi Min-Young's estimated net worth in 2026 is between $1.5 million and $2 million USD. This figure is compiled from multiple verified entertainment finance sources and reflects his growing market value.
Where His Income Comes From:
| Revenue Stream | Contribution Level |
| Netflix drama fees (XO, Kitty Seasons 1β3) | High |
| Korean drama acting contracts | Medium-High |
| Musical theatre performances | Medium |
| Brand endorsements (fashion, skincare) | Growing |
| Award prize money (DIMF 2020) | One-time |
His per-episode fee has reportedly increased year-on-year since 2023. Korean actors at his level with Netflix co-productions typically command between $30,000β$80,000 USD per episode, placing his cumulative TV earnings alone at a significant figure.
π‘ Curious how Korean celebrities build wealth early? See Grant Goodeve - Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth, and Relationships for a comparative look at long-term entertainment careers.
Choi Min-Young Girlfriend and Relationship Status
As of 2026, Choi Min-Young has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend or romantic partner. He maintains a deliberately private personal life, which is standard practice among young Korean celebrities.
Why Korean actors stay private about relationships:
- Fan culture in South Korea often reacts negatively to confirmed relationships
- Agencies like Saram Entertainment typically advise privacy for image management
- Choi's public persona focuses on his work, not his personal life
His Instagram (@choi_minyeong) shows occasional behind-the-scenes posts and performance shots β but no relationship content. There is no credible public record of a confirmed girlfriend as of April 2026.
Musical Theatre Career
This is the section most competitor sites miss entirely. Choi Min-Young is not just a screen actor β he is a trained and award-winning musical theatre performer.
He has starred in Korean productions of:
- Bonnie & Clyde
- Empress Myeongseong
- Frankenstein
- Kinky Boots
In 2020, he won the Grand Prize at the 6th DIMF (Daegu International Musical Festival) Musical Star Awards β one of South Korea's most competitive musical theatre competitions. This win predated his Netflix fame and proved his technical vocal and stage skills.
π‘ See Jessi Combs: Age, Height, Wiki, Bio, Net Worth & Legacy for another profile of a multi-talented performer who dominated their niche.
Choi Min-Young's Role in XO, Kitty Explained
XO, Kitty is a Netflix romantic comedy series, a spin-off of the popular film trilogy To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Choi Min-Young plays Kim Dae-heon ("Dae"), the Korean love interest of the protagonist Kitty Song Covey.
Key facts about the role:
- It was his first fully bilingual acting role (Korean and English)
- He has appeared in 19 episodes across Seasons 1 through 3 (2023β2026)
- His character Dae is consistently cited by fans as the emotional core of the series
- Fan review sites like AsianWiki describe him as "totally fluent in American English, no accent"
This role launched his international profile in a way that few Korean actors achieve before their mid-twenties.
FAQ:
Q: How old is Choi Min-Young in 2026?
Choi Min-Young is 23 years old as of 2026, born on October 9, 2002, in Seoul, South Korea. He will turn 24 on his next birthday in October 2026. His age makes him one of the younger lead actors currently starring in a Netflix original series.
Q: What is Choi Min-Young's height?
Choi Min-Young's height is approximately 178 cm, or 5 feet 10 inches. This figure is based on fan records and casting information, as he has not officially confirmed his exact measurements. His lean build and on-screen presence often make him appear taller.
Q: Who does Choi Min-Young play in XO, Kitty?
He plays Kim Dae-heon, known as Dae β Kitty's Korean love interest in the Netflix series. The role spans all three seasons (2023β2026) and was his first major bilingual acting part, delivered in both Korean and fluent English.
Q: Does Choi Min-Young have a girlfriend in 2026?
As of April 2026, Choi Min-Young has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationship. Korean entertainment agencies typically advise artists to keep personal relationships private, and he follows this norm consistently.
Q: What did Choi Min-Young do before XO, Kitty?
He worked as a child and supporting actor in Korean dramas from 2014 onward, including Mr. Sunshine, Itaewon Class, and Twenty-Five Twenty-One. He also built a parallel career in Korean musical theatre, winning the Grand Prize at the DIMF Musical Star Awards in 2020.
Q: What is Choi Min-Young's net worth?
His estimated net worth in 2026 is between $1.5 million and $2 million USD. This reflects earnings from Netflix contracts, Korean drama fees, musical theatre, and brand deals. His per-episode rate has grown significantly since his international breakthrough in 2023.
Q: What is Choi Min-Young's role in Weak Hero Class 2?
He plays Seo Jun-tae, initially introduced as a bully's enforcer who undergoes a significant character arc. Executive producer Han Jun-hee described Jun-tae as a "true weak hero." The role demonstrated his versatility beyond romantic leads.
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