Justin H. Min is an American actor who has quietly become one of the most interesting faces in modern film and television. Many viewers first noticed him as Ben Hargreeves in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, and they have followed him ever since through hits such as Beef and After Yang. What makes his story stand out is the path he took to get here. He did not start out chasing fame on stage. Instead, he built a life around writing and photography first, then changed direction completely. This article explains who he is, where he came from, the roles that shaped his career, and what he is working on next.
Detailed Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Justin Hong-Kee Min |
| Known as | Justin H. Min |
| Date of birth | 20 March 1990 |
| Age | 36 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Cerritos, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Heritage | Korean American (second generation) |
| High school | Cerritos High School (2007) |
| University | Cornell University (2011) |
| Degrees | Government and English |
| Earlier career | Journalist and photographer |
| Famous role | Ben Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy |
| Other key work | After Yang, Beef, Shortcomings |
| Notable relative | Ashley Park (second cousin) |
| Religion | Christian |
Early Life and Education
Justin Hong-Kee Min was born on 20 March 1990 and grew up in Cerritos, California. He is a second-generation Korean American, and his heritage plays a big part in the projects he chooses today. He finished Cerritos High School in 2007, then moved across the country to attend Cornell University. There he served on the Student Assembly as the Minority Liaison, showing an early interest in representation and community.
He graduated from Cornell in 2011 with degrees in Government and English. At that point acting was not the plan at all. He worked as a journalist and photographer for various magazines and completed photography assignments for several projects. A theatre class he took almost by accident sparked something new in him, and that small spark eventually pushed him towards a very different career.
Breaking Into Acting
Min began acting around 2012, taking small television roles on shows such as Faking It, CSI: Cyber, and Pure Genius. These early parts gave him experience but rarely offered much depth. To find richer material, he teamed up with Wong Fu Productions, an independent, Asian American media company based in Los Angeles. He starred in their 2017 short film How I Became an Adult and their 2019 web series Dating After College, among other projects.
His big break arrived in 2019 with The Umbrella Academy, where he played the quiet, thoughtful sibling Ben Hargreeves. Because the character mainly appears in flashbacks in the original comics, the show kept Min out of early publicity to protect the surprise. Fans embraced him quickly, and the writers promoted him from a recurring role to a series regular in the second season. He stayed with the show until it ended in 2024.
Standout Roles in Film and Television
In 2021 Min took the title role in After Yang, an A24 science fiction drama directed by Kogonada and starring Colin Farrell. He played an android companion whose breakdown forces a family to face grief and loss. Critics praised his gentle, careful performance, and the film marked his arrival as a serious lead actor rather than just a familiar face from a hit series.
He kept that momentum going in 2023. He starred as Edwin in the acclaimed A24 series Beef alongside Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, playing a husband caught up in a spiral of tension and family strain. The same year he led Shortcomings, an adaptation of Adrian Tomine’s graphic novel, where he played a flawed, sharp-tongued character. That role showed a bolder, less likeable side of his talent and won strong reviews.
Recent Work and Korean Roots
Min has stayed busy with a wide mix of projects. He appeared in the musical time-travel romance The Greatest Hits (2024) and the psychological thriller Detained (2024), then took a supporting part in the 2025 romantic comedy Turn Me On. He also lent his voice to the English cast of the animated film Lost in Starlight (2025), sharing the screen with Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.
His Korean heritage continues to shape his choices. Min has spoken about wanting to improve his Korean and to join more Korean productions. In May 2025 he took part in the second season of The Devil’s Plan, a Korean Netflix reality competition series, where he became the sixth player eliminated. He is also a second cousin of actress Ashley Park, keeping talent firmly in the family.
Conclusion
Justin H. Min has turned an unlikely start into a thoughtful, growing career. From journalism to Wong Fu shorts, and from The Umbrella Academy to award-worthy films, he keeps choosing roles with real meaning. With more Korean projects on his wish list, his most exciting work may still lie ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Justin H. Min?
Justin H. Min is an American actor best known for playing Ben Hargreeves in The Umbrella Academy and for lead roles in After Yang, Beef, and Shortcomings.
2. How old is Justin H. Min?
He was born on 20 March 1990, which makes him 36 years old as of 2026.
3. Where is Justin H. Min from?
He is from Cerritos, California, and he is a second-generation Korean American.
4. What is Justin H. Min’s full name?
His full name is Justin Hong-Kee Min.
5. What did Justin H. Min do before acting?
Before acting, he worked as a journalist and photographer for various magazines.
6. Which university did Justin H. Min attend?
He attended Cornell University and graduated in 2011 with degrees in Government and English.
7. What role made Justin H. Min famous?
He became widely known for playing Ben Hargreeves in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy.
8. Is Justin H. Min related to Ashley Park?
Yes. He is a second cousin of the actress and singer Ashley Park.
9. What is Justin H. Min in on Netflix?
You can find him in The Umbrella Academy, Beef, and the reality series The Devil’s Plan.
10. What are Justin H. Min’s recent projects?
Recent work includes Turn Me On (2025), the animated film Lost in Starlight (2025), and season two of The Devil’s Plan (2025).
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