Han Ji Eun recently delighted fans with heartfelt revelations about her friendship with Hallyu megastar Lee Min Ho, formed during the filming of their drama When the Stars Gossip. Appearing on the June 11 episode of MBC’s Radio Star, Han opened up about how their bond developed on set — and how her initial impression of the actor turned out to be completely wrong.
Despite limited off-screen interactions outside of promotional events and filming, Han Ji Eun said that their connection grew naturally thanks to Lee Min Ho’s unexpectedly warm and approachable personality. “Min Ho has such strong features, I thought it would be hard to approach him or become friends,” she confessed. Initially cautious around him, she soon realized he was “so down-to-earth.”
She recalled a turning point at a cast dinner following their first script reading session, where Lee Min Ho casually suggested, “We’re the same age, let’s be friends.” That simple gesture broke the ice, and from there, their camaraderie blossomed. “It made it super easy for us to vibe,” Han said, smiling as she recounted their growing rapport on set.
Han Ji Eun went on to praise Lee Min Ho’s thoughtfulness behind the scenes. Even when there were no formal wrap parties, he would personally arrange casual dinners for the cast and crew. “He would book restaurants and invite everyone after shoots — really thoughtful,” she shared, adding that these gatherings brought everyone closer and enhanced the chemistry onscreen.
While When the Stars Gossip concluded with a relatively modest 2.6% viewership rating — falling short of expectations given its high-profile cast and 50 billion KRW production budget — Han Ji Eun found something more meaningful in the experience. “Even though the drama didn’t do well, I got a top star friend out of it,” she said fondly.
Her candid comments have sparked even more appreciation for the genuine friendship between the two stars — and for Lee Min Ho’s grounded, generous character behind the glitz of fame.