Lee Know: The Movie Star
In the week leading up to the release of Stray Kids' first ever Rolling Stone UK cover, we're sharing our individual interviews with each member from within the magazine. Next up, it's the movie star: Lee Know.
There is a quiet, old Hollywood movie star quality to Lee Min-Ho. His shimmering dark eyes are reminiscent of a young Kyle MacLachlan or Teo Yoo. On set for his Rolling Stone UK cover shoot, a perfectly placed tendril of hair is falling over his face as he moves around in a considered fashion in his striped monochrome Gucci outfit, luring the photographer in to capture another close-up of his face.
The man who looks like he is from the silver screen is a cinephile himself. He has a particular favourite that he likes to revisit. “My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday. It’s a Japanese movie. I almost never watch the same movie twice, but that particular movie I have watched continuously. It’s a movie that you watch it once, twice, three times; every time it just feels different.”
Softly spoken and able to capture your attention with just a glance, Lee Know’s quietness can quickly vanish to display a mischievous and playful side. This is usually coaxed out by other members who like to tease him, cat-and-mouse style. But as the second oldest member, he knows how to adapt his behaviour for the group. HAN and Hyunjin have previously spoken in one of their live videos about how Lee Know softens his sharp humour for Felix — who is “more soft-hearted” — instead reserving the sharper ribbing for Seungmin and Changbin, who are more able to handle it.
It’s this considerate nature that despite all their hype and success keeps Stray Kids balanced. Among the whirling chaos of the group, there is Lee Know, an anchor both in his personality and professionalism. He admits he is a very methodical person. “I discovered myself to be an early-morning person that enjoys going to sleep early, but also getting up early,” he says. “I find that I am the one that is organised, that I have an eye towards the future. It’s just a different approach that I find myself having with respect to the other members. They enjoy their daily life, making decisions on the same day. [They will say] ‘I guess today I’ll watch a movie, or today I’ll make another hole for my earrings.’
“For me, it’s different. I already know some days in advance what I’m going to do, and what movie I am going to watch. I don’t decide the same day, I decide earlier.”
This precision is a big part of Lee Know’s performances. A former dancer for BTS, his skills are exceptional both on stage and in SKZ videos. There is a cleanness and impactful quality to his form, with the ability to tailor his energy and movements to match each song’s idiosyncratic energy. Lee Know’s dance breaks, along with the other members of DANCERACHA, are always a favourite for the fans, often elevating the crescendo moments of a Stray Kids track. Vocally, he has an equally high standard, too. On plenty of occasions throughout our interview in Milan, he would start off a round of singing as they prepared for their BST Hyde Park show.
Other than his family, Lee Know’s needs are very clear cut when it comes to home. “It’s very simple. I only have two things that I miss about home: the first thing is the cats and the second is homemade food. My cats are being taken care of by my parents, so they’re doing very well. It’s been some time since I have seen them, so I miss them a lot. I am very happy that the fans enjoy and love my cats. Sometimes I get a bit jealous about the amount of love they get, though!”
Like his favourite animals, Lee Know has a playful mystery about him. He displays plenty of quiet affection for the other members, as well as a chaotic sense of fun when feeling playful that can come to the fore at any time. It’s these layers to his personality that have made him so popular with the STAY fanbase.
Taken from the October/November issue of Rolling Stone UK – you can pre-order it here now.
