10 Times The ‘Maze Runner’ Films Did Minho Dirty
1. Thomas Solving the Maze in Days
Thomas was portrayed as instantly better than everyone, solving the Maze almost as soon as he arrived. In the films, Minho had been tracking the Maze for years yet never cracked a pattern, leaving Thomas to solve it. But the books take a very different approach: Minho is the one who breaks the code. He just needed a fresh perspective—something Thomas provided, not replaced.
2. Removing His "Sass"
Minho in the books is sarcastic, sharp-tongued, and constantly roasting the Gladers. His personality shines through in every chapter, packed with iconic one-liners. Movie Minho (played by Ki Hong Lee), however, is stoic, serious, and unusually quiet. While Lee brings great physicality, the script strips away almost all of Minho’s charm, turning a witty leader into a silent action figure.
3. Losing the Title of "The Leader"
In the books, Minho is the official leader of the Gladers, a role reinforced by his WCKD tattoo. Because the films removed the tattoo storyline, they also removed Minho’s promotion. Instead, Thomas becomes the unquestioned leader the moment they escape the Glade, while Minho is pushed into the background with little strategic presence.
4. Becoming the "Damsel in Distress" for the Finale
In The Death Cure novel, Minho is active throughout the final arc, especially while fighting in Denver, escaping the Berg, and participating fully in the finale. The movie makes a major misstep by turning him into a hostage with no agency, forcing the group (and Thomas, of course) to rescue him. It sidelines him at the exact moment he should be at his most powerful.
5. Getting Struck by Lightning
To amplify tension, the movie has Minho literally struck by lightning. While he survives, he becomes weak and incapacitated, forcing the group to carry him. The strongest Glader becomes a burden (something that never happens in the books). There, Minho is the one leading the charge, shouting orders through the storm, not slowing the team down.
6. The "Griever Hole" Discovery
In the book, Minho and Thomas discover the invisible Griever Hole together by tossing stones off the cliff. It’s a shared discovery built on Minho’s experience with Griever movement patterns. The film, though, gives Thomas full credit, reducing Minho to a bystander watching the “Chosen One” figure everything out.
7. Missing the "Banishing" Authority
Minho is a senior Keeper with serious authority in the books. During the debate over Thomas saving Alby, Minho fiercely defends him and calls Gally out as a bully. In the movie’s council scene, however, Minho is strangely quiet. He supports Thomas, but Newt holds the real power, removing a key part of Minho’s leadership.
8. His Physical Strength was Downgraded
Book Minho is described as having “arms like tree trunks” and is regularly shown using his strength to protect others. Movie Minho, though athletic, isn’t portrayed as the Glade’s powerhouse. In the books, when Gally threatens the group, Minho takes him down. In the film, Gally punches Thomas while Minho gets restrained. His “tank” role disappears entirely.
9. The Lack of Strategic Planning
In the books—especially The Scorch Trials—Minho handles formations, watch shifts, and food rationing. He’s the tactical mind of the group. In the movies, Thomas simply shouts, “Go!” and everyone follows, including Minho. We rarely see Minho using his years of Keeper training to guide the group’s survival.
10. His Relationship with Newt
Minho and Newt have one of the most charming bromances in the books. Their teasing, arguments, and mutual respect form the emotional backbone of the Glade. They’re the “Mom and Dad” of the group. The movies push this aside in favor of Thomas-centric relationships, sidelining the rich Minho–Newt dynamic fans loved.
