5 things you probably didn’t know about the UK university XO Kitty’s Sang Heon Lee went to

The Internet’s favourite green flag is back in Season 3 of “XO, Kitty.”

Fans have seen Minho, played by Sang Heon Lee, evolve from a sassy, stylish, and arrogant diva to a top-tier love interest who puts the needs of the woman he loves first. Whether it’s being the first one to run to Kitty as she collapses on the track or succumbing to his blackmailing girlfriend’s terms to protect her, Minho has never been afraid to act on his feelings. 

 

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“XO, Kitty” is set in the fictional, prestigious Korean Independent School of Seoul, also referred to as “K.I.S.S.” But did you know Minho’s actor, Sang Heon Lee, also went to elite schools and universities? 

After graduating from the Island School in Hong Kong, Lee went on to pursue a Bachelor’s in Drama at the University of Northampton in the UK. If you’ve never heard of the university before, then we’ve got a few fun facts to back you up. 

‘Sides, it’ll only help you get to know Lee a little better…..right? 

Here are some fun facts about Sang Heon Lee’s alma mater

Northamptonshire is the world’s shoemaking capital 

Sounds a little random, doesn’t it? 

Located in the Midlands region of England, the county of Northamptonshire is only 60 miles from London and 50 miles from Birmingham. It’s shoemaking history dates as far back as the 12th century, though most shoe factories would close by the late 20th century. 

Still, its title lives on. Shoemakers shifted towards luxury, handcrafted pieces; the kind you’d see with brands like Edward Green or Church’s. UON was one of the only universities in Europe to offer Leather Technology programmes, though its 5.5 million pound institute would close in 2023 due to high operating costs and student decline. 

UON is one of the youngest universities in the UK 

The UON campus is far more modern compared to the Gothic or Victorian architecture that many UK universities embody, but that’s because it is a modern institution. 

Its founding dates to 1975, though it took on a different name. The Nene College of Higher Education was established as an amalgamation of Northampton’s colleges of technology, art, and education, and later became University College Northampton in 1999. It was only in 2005 that UON gained its full university status and name. 

 

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UON has a Waterside Campus

The 330 million pound (US$443 million) Waterside Campus opened in 2018 next to River Nene as a replacement of two former campuses. 

With open parklands to the north and south, the campus is designed to respond to its natural surroundings. It’s also sustainable. The Energy Centre uses “woodchip biomass and gas” to supply hot water and low-carbon heating across campus buildings. 

Fun fact: there’s also a rooftop bar on campus.

UON has maintained a decade of the highest Green Accreditation 

Speaking of sustainability, UON has achieved a feat only eight organisations in the country have done: maintain the highest Green Accreditation with the Investors in the Environment (iiE) for 10 years. The accreditation assesses environmental management and sustainable practice at three levels: Bronze, Silver, and the highest, Green. 

Moving to the Waterside campus has marked a new era of sustainability for UON, with energy-efficient lighting systems and water-saving practices. Waste is recycled, converted to energy, or anaerobically digested. The campus is also known to be wildlife-friendly.

 

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The community is super diverse

UON is home to over 14,000 students — two-thirds undergraduates and the remaining postgraduates. Its population is diverse, with 66% being female, and 40% coming from Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) backgrounds. Sang Heon Lee, born in South Korea and raised in Hong Kong, is hardly the only international student you’d have seen. 

Equity doesn’t only show in demographics.; it also shows in proper action. UON was ranked among the top 50 universities worldwide in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for its commitment to reducing inequalities.