Sang Heon Lee: Accent, Sister, Military & XO Kitty Role

Few actors arrive with a backstory that explains so much about their on-screen presence. Sang Heon Lee’s distinctive accent, shaped by a childhood split between Hong Kong and the UK, is one of many facts explored in this article.

Birthplace: South Korea ·
Known For: XO, Kitty ·
Sister: Gia Kim ·
Languages: Korean, English

Six facts, one pattern: Lee’s profile is built on a mix of Asian and Western experiences that explain both his skills and the recurring questions fans have.

Why does Sang Heon Lee have an accent?

International background and language acquisition

• Sang Heon Lee was born in South Korea but moved to Hong Kong as a child, spending his formative years in a multilingual environment (Behind The Blinds).
• He then studied at the University of Northampton in England, where he lived for several years.
• His sister Gia Kim has said they both absorb accents quickly because of their international upbringing (Gia Kim interview on YouTube (self-published)).

Training and portrayal of Minho

• For his role as Minho, Lee intentionally used an Australian-British hybrid sound, drawing on his own accent base.
• Her Campus notes that Lee’s education in England is the primary reason he sounds distinctively different from his sister, who trained in Los Angeles (Her Campus).

The implication: Fans asking about the accent are actually picking up on a genuine third-culture-kid profile that is rare in K-drama casting.

Did Sang Heon Lee go to the military?

Mandatory service requirement

• South Korea requires all able-bodied men to serve about two years in the military (Boys By Girls).
• Lee completed his service before starting his acting career.

His experience and deferments

• Lee described his military service as “compulsory” and “a sad experience overall,” comparing it to boot camp and Lord of the Flies.
• He said he did not feel he learned much during that time.
• After finishing his military duty, he spent about a year and a half modeling in Korea before turning to acting.

What this means: Lee’s military background is fully behind him, with no future disruptions expected for his career.

Why do Sang Heon Lee and Gia Kim have different last names?

Stage name explanation

• The siblings share the Korean surname Lee, but Gia Kim uses “Kim” as a stage name (TV Guide).
• In a Netflix interview, Gia Kim confirmed that people initially thought the sibling claim was a joke because of the different surnames and accents (Eric Nam / Daebak Show (podcast interview)).

Family relationship clarification

• They are biological brother and sister.
• Both are actors working in the entertainment industry, with their sibling dynamic being a point of interest for fans.

The pattern: Using different stage surnames is common among Korean artists, and this case is straightforward — same blood, different brand.

Are Sang Heon Lee and Gia Kim related?

Biological sibling verification

• Yes, they are real-life siblings, which has been confirmed by Netflix and multiple interviews.
• They also play characters in XO, Kitty who are not siblings but are closely connected in the story.

Shared background

• Both grew up in Hong Kong and are described as “third culture kids” by Netflix.
• Their different accents are a natural result of spending time in different countries.

Why this matters: The sibling connection is a rare case of real family on a Netflix show, adding a layer of authenticity to the cast dynamic.

Which Korean actor is fluent in English?

Sang Heon Lee’s place among English-speaking Korean actors

• Lee is one of a growing list of Korean actors who speak English at a native level.
• Others include Lee Min-ho (partial), Kim Hyun-joong, and Steven Yeun, but Lee’s accent is distinct because of his British-English exposure.

Benefits for international roles

• His fluency allowed him to audition for and land the role of Minho without an interpreter.
• It also opens doors for projects that require English-language delivery, such as potential Hollywood crossovers.

The trade-off: While language skills boost his casting range, they also create expectation that he can bridge both Korean and Western industries — a high bar to maintain.

What is the 52 hour rule in Korea?

South Korea’s 52-hour work week law caps regular working hours at 40 plus up to 12 hours of overtime. This regulation applies broadly, including to the entertainment industry, but enforcement varies for actors whose schedules can be irregular. The rule is part of broader labor reforms aimed at work-life balance.

The catch: For actors, compliance with the rule can limit filming windows, but Lee’s military service already gives him a regulated schedule perspective.

What are Sang Heon Lee’s recent projects?

XO, Kitty and first major role

• Lee’s debut is the Netflix series XO, Kitty, which premiered in 2023. He plays Min Ho, a charismatic student at a Korean international school.
• The role was his first official audition, and he credits his sister for sharing the open call.

Upcoming work and career trajectory

• Lee also appeared in the 2024 film Secret Ingredient, though details are limited.
• His trajectory indicates growing interest in cross-cultural storytelling.

What to watch: Lee’s career is still young — one major TV role and one indie film — but his unique background gives him a distinctive edge as the industry globalizes.

Sang Heon Lee’s rapid rise from a model in Seoul to a globally recognized actor is a direct result of his unusual background — military service completed, English mastered, and a familial link that added intrigue. For the actor, the choice is clear: continue leveraging his multicultural identity to bridge Korean and global entertainment, or risk being typecast as just another idol-turned-actor. His early moves suggest he’s betting on the bridge.

Frequently asked questions