Lee Min Ho Reviews Offer for Workplace Virtual Idol Rom-Com

Lee Min Ho may be preparing for another small-screen project, but the casting is not final yet. The actor has received an offer to star in the upcoming romantic comedy But Your Love, a working title that has also been translated as Virtual Love, and is currently reviewing it through his agency.

The update followed a July 2 report from JTBC that said Lee Min Ho was expected to appear in the drama. In response, MYM Entertainment clarified that the actor had been offered the role and was considering it. That distinction matters: in Korean drama casting news, an agency’s confirmation that an offer is under review usually means negotiations are active, not that the performer has formally joined the cast.

If Lee accepts, But Your Love would place him in a romantic comedy built around one of the entertainment industry’s most current themes: the boundary between real-world celebrity, digital fandom, and virtual idols. The project is reportedly planned as a 12-episode series, a format that has become increasingly common for tightly plotted streaming-era K-dramas.

A Workplace Romance With a Virtual Idol Twist

The premise centers on an employee whose difficult, emotionally dry daily life is made easier by a virtual idol group member. The story takes a romantic-comedy turn when she realizes that the digital performer who has become a source of comfort is connected to her own workplace: he is also her superior at the office.

Lee Min Ho is reportedly considering the role of Cha Wook Hyun, the general director of a game company. On the surface, the character appears accomplished and almost flawless, but inside the company he has a far less flattering reputation. Employees see him as cold, sharp, and difficult to approach, setting up the familiar rom-com contrast between polished public image and prickly private behavior.

The reported character description adds a more unusual element: through unexpected circumstances, Cha Wook Hyun ends up debuting as a member of a virtual idol group. That detail gives the project room to play with modern fan culture, avatar performance, workplace hierarchy, and the gap between a person’s official role and the version of themselves audiences come to love.

For Lee Min Ho, the role would also carry a specific career note. According to the report, accepting But Your Love would make it his first drama in two years following When the Stars Gossip. He is also preparing for the release of the upcoming film Assassin(s), making the potential drama part of a broader return cycle across both film and television.

Why the Casting Is Drawing Attention

Lee remains one of the most recognizable Korean actors internationally, with past dramas helping define the global image of the Hallyu leading man. Because of that profile, even an offer under review can attract attention from overseas viewers, especially when the possible project combines romance with a technology-driven idol concept.

The drama is said to be directed by Jang Young Seok, known for The Winning Try. Casting is currently underway, and the production is reportedly aiming to begin filming before the end of the year. Those details suggest the project is moving through active pre-production, though broadcast timing, platform information, and the final cast have not been announced.

The virtual idol angle arrives at a moment when Korean entertainment companies are increasingly experimenting with digital performers, animated personas, and fan experiences that blend gaming, music, and drama storytelling. A rom-com built around that idea could make the concept more accessible by grounding it in office dynamics and character chemistry rather than treating it only as a technology trend.

Still, the key point for now is caution. Lee Min Ho has not been confirmed for But Your Love; he is reviewing an offer. Until the production team or agency announces a final decision, the project should be understood as a potential next step rather than a locked-in comeback.

More details are expected as casting continues. If Lee Min Ho signs on, But Your Love could become one of the more closely watched upcoming romantic comedies because it pairs a major star with a premise that reflects the changing relationship between fandom, workplace identity, and digital entertainment.