Hallyu icon Lee Min Ho recently opened up about an emotional moment that has touched fans deeply across the globe. On July 12, 2025, the actor shared the heartbreaking news that his beloved dog Choco had passed away after 16 years together. Through a heartfelt message posted to his social media, he expressed not just grief, but immense gratitude for the time they shared. “My beloved Choco has returned to nature after spending 16 years with us. I hope the time we shared was happy. Thank you to everyone who loved Choco,” he wrote, keeping the tone gentle yet poignant.
Alongside this touching caption, Lee Min Ho shared a collection of photographs that painted a tender portrait of their quiet companionship. These weren’t glamour shots from a celebrity pet photoshoot, but rather intimate glimpses into their day-to-day lives—candid snapshots of Choco in the passenger seat of a car, nestled comfortably at home, or simply enjoying peaceful moments. These images revealed a softer, more grounded side of Lee Min Ho that fans rarely get to see, far removed from the polished world of red carpets and dramatic close-ups on-screen.
The response was overwhelming. Within hours, his comment section was filled with messages of sympathy and warmth from fans all over the world. Many shared their own memories of Choco, recalling the joy and comfort the dog had brought them through Lee Min Ho’s posts over the years. Some referenced specific throwback pictures or clips, reminiscing about how Choco had grown alongside the actor and his career. For many, Choco had become a quiet yet constant figure in the background of Lee Min Ho’s public life—an endearing reminder of his personal side and a symbol of his loyalty and love beyond fame.
This deeply personal loss comes at a significant time for the actor professionally. Lee Min Ho is preparing for a major screen comeback with the highly awaited film Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, set to release on July 23, 2025. Based on the immensely popular web novel, the film centers on Kim Dok Ja (played by Ahn Hyo Seop), an ordinary man who finds himself trapped in the world of a fictional story he had been reading. With foreknowledge of the plot, he must navigate its chaos to save the world. Lee Min Ho steps into the shoes of Yoo Joong Hyuk, the powerful and brooding protagonist from within the novel’s universe—a role that promises to show a grittier, more action-packed facet of his acting.
Though the timing of Choco’s passing is especially difficult, Lee Min Ho’s quiet resilience and openness with fans only deepen the affection people feel for him. As he grieves this personal loss and simultaneously gears up for a transformative role, fans are rallying behind him with love, not just as a star, but as someone they’ve grown with through the years.