Lee Sung-min

Lee Sung-min is a South Korean singer, actor, and musical theatre performer. He debuted as a member of Super Junior in 2005 and has since built a career spanning music, acting, and solo ventures under the brand LIU. Known for his sweet vocal tone and charming stage presence, Sungmin has participated in multiple Super Junior sub-units and pursued individual projects in musicals and variety. As of 2026, he continues to engage fans through his YouTube channel and live performances, maintaining a warm connection with his audience. [edit]

Lee Sung-min was born on January 1, 1986, in Ilsan-gu, Goyang, South Korea. He grew up in a Catholic household with his younger brother. In 2002, as a trainee under SM Entertainment, he was placed in a project R&B group alongside Kim Junsu (later of TVXQ) and future Super Junior bandmate Eunhyuk. The group appeared on the show Heejun vs. Kangta, Battle of the Century: Pop vs. Rock, where Kangta taught Sungmin, Junsu, and Eunhyuk singing techniques. The project dissolved after a year, but Sungmin continued training. He made his first screen appearance on August 1, 2005, with a guest role in the MBC morning drama Sisters of the Sea. [edit]

Lee Sung-min officially debuted as a member of Super Junior 05 on November 6, 2005, with the single "Twins (Knock Out)." The group's breakthrough came in 2006 with the hit single "U," which established their popularity. Sungmin expanded his reach by joining sub-units: Super Junior-T (trot), Super Junior-H (released "Cooking? Cooking!"), and Super Junior-M (Mandarin-language group). He took on acting roles, appearing in the 2007 film Attack on the Pin-Up Boys and the 2010 TV series President. After his 2014 marriage, he stepped back from group activities but continued solo work, including military service from 2015 to 2016. In the 2020s, he launched the solo brand LIU and a YouTube channel. In April 2025, his contract with SM Entertainment expired, and he signed with Total Set Entertainment, focusing on musicals and individual projects. [edit]

Lee Sung-min is widely perceived as the cute and bubbly member of Super Junior, often called the "Prince of Aegyo" for his expressive facial expressions and playful stage persona. However, observers note that his natural personality is more serious and introspective, contrasting with his public image. His individual fandom is called "Wings." On social media, he maintains a warm, approachable tone, sharing behind-the-scenes content and personal moments with his wife. Fans appreciate his genuine interactions and dedication to his craft. [edit]

Lee Sung-min currently holds no placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list, a status confirmed by the August 2026 evaluation. While he remains a central figure in the K-pop landscape with two decades of activity, the engine has not assigned him a specific numeric rank at this time. This absence does not diminish his standing among fans who have followed his journey from debut to his recent transition to Total Set Entertainment. The collective support for Super Junior is known as E.L.F., an acronym for Ever Lasting Friend that encompasses the entire group's fanbase rather than a separate entity exclusively for Sungmin. These supporters are renowned for their extreme organization, often mobilizing massive streaming campaigns and purchasing full-page newspaper ads to celebrate member milestones. Their loyalty was tested during a significant controversy in July 2017, when a faction boycotted the singer over alleged personal issues, yet the core community eventually rallied around him as he focused on musical theater and acting. Despite the turbulence, Sungmin has maintained deep gratitude for E.L.F., sharing personal moments like his marriage and the birth of his son to foster intimacy. His legacy includes enduring viral clips of his clumsy humor on variety shows and critical acclaim for roles in Grease and Chicago, proving his versatility beyond pop music. The narrative of his resilience through industry shifts and his evolution into a family man continues to resonate, creating a multifaceted image of an idol who navigates fame with grace.[edit]

Among fans, Lee Sung-min is represented by a bunny, and he shares his home with two dogs named Kkoming and Melo. He studied martial arts and has showcased these skills during various performances throughout his career. Known for his expressive face and playful persona, he earned the nickname "Prince of Aegyo," though observers note his natural personality is more serious and introspective. His solo activities under the stage name LIU allow him to explore individual artistic avenues distinct from his group work. Beyond his official duties, Sungmin served as a vocal trainer on the survival show UNDER NINETEEN. Fans frequently retell the story of his "clumsy" persona, where he accidentally trips or causes minor disasters on sets like Running Man, cementing his reputation as a natural comedian who turns chaos into entertainment. Another iconic element of his legend is his role as the reliable "straight man" alongside eccentric members like Leeteuk, a dynamic that defined early Super Junior content. His successful pivot to musical theater, particularly his sold-out runs as Danny Zuko in Grease and in Chicago, transformed him from a pop idol into a respected stage actor. More recently, the heartwarming announcement of his first child in September 2024 added a new layer of maturity to his public image, celebrating a decade-long marriage to actress Kim Sa-eun.[edit]

Lee Sung-min was born to father Lee Chun-hwa, CEO of SendBill and Network Mania, and a mother whose name is not publicly known. He has a younger brother named Lee Sung-jin. He married actress Kim Sa-eun in 2014, and the couple has one child. They live together in South Korea. Sungmin has two dogs named Kkoming and Melo, whom he often features on social media. [edit]

Lee Sung-min is most closely associated with his Super Junior bandmates: Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Donghae, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun. His early trainee partners include Kim Junsu (TVXQ) and Eunhyuk. His wife, actress Kim Sa-eun, is a significant personal connection. He was mentored by Kangta during his trainee years. [edit]

Lee Sung-min's only public relationship is with actress Kim Sa-eun. The couple married in 2014. The announcement sparked significant backlash from some Super Junior fans, leading to Sungmin's hiatus from group activities. They have one child together and remain married as of 2026. [edit]

Updated for 2026, research by the iFANN Editorial Team puts Lee Sung-min's net worth at $3 Million. His primary income sources include his tenure with Super Junior from 2005 to 2014, which involved album sales, concerts, tours, and merchandise. He also earned revenue from sub-unit activities including Super Junior-T, Super Junior-H, and Super Junior-M, alongside individual acting roles in dramas and musicals. Additional earnings come from his YouTube channel and various brand deals. After leaving SM Entertainment in 2025, he signed with Total Set Entertainment, continuing his solo performances and musical theatre work.[edit]