Love beyond the spotlight: Korean celebrities who married non-celebrities

EXO member Kim Jong-dae, better known as Chen, made headlines when his agency SM Entertainment announced that he officially registered his marriage to his long-time girlfriend Jang Mi-hee in January 2020. Not much is known about Jang except the fact that she’s a non-celebrity.

The lavish, fairytale wedding ceremony took place in the Signiel Hotel in the iconic Lotte World Tower, Seoul. Soon after, the vocalist and his wife would welcome an addition to their family, a daughter, in April 2021. They welcomed their second child in January 2022.

Top Hallyu star and K-drama darling Jun Ji-hyun met her now husband, Choi Joon-hyuk, in junior school. They were reportedly neighbours and their families were also familiar with each other. They would later reconnect as adults and fall in love.

In 2012, at the peak of her career, she announced her engagement after Choi took her on a surprise trip to Japan and popped the question. That same year, the couple celebrated their marriage at the luxurious Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong, central Seoul, with more than 600 guests, including celebrities, close friends and family.

Choi comes from a prestigious family—he’s the grandson of renowned hanbok designer Lee Young-hee and the son of fashion designer Lee Jung-woo. Choi himself worked in finance. After working for Bank of America, he joined his family business and became CEO and later largest shareholder of Alpha Assets in 2020.

Lee Dal, who starred alongside Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-been, Ok Taec-yeon, Kim Yeo-jin and Kwak Dong-yeon in Vincenzo, surprised fans in 2023 when he announced that he would be getting married to his non-celebrity girlfriend.

Along with the announcement, Lee Dal also shared stunning, professionally taken pictures from his pre-wedding photoshoot, writing, “I wanted to meet someone who wanted the same things as I did and believed in things that couldn’t be seen. I said if I ever meet someone like that, that I would marry her. That dream is coming true for me this Saturday. I will be honoured to be marrying her, who always speaks to me in the language of love. I will become a better actor as the head of our family. Please bless and support us. I love you all.”

This was later confirmed by Lee Dal’s management agency Bistus Entertainment in an official statement that shed light on his soon-to-be wife’s identity: Lee Dal and his non-celebrity girlfriend are getting married this Saturday–October 14. They met on the shooting site of KBS’ drama Police University in 2021 where he was an actor and she was a member of the production crew.

South Korean comedian and popular TV personality Jo Se-ho, known for his work as the Weekly Idol host and the You Quiz on the Block co-host alongside Yoo Jae-suk, announced his marriage in January 2024

In an Instagram post, he wrote, “I have found someone who is very precious to me and whom I want to spend a long time with in the future! We’ve been together for nearly a year. We felt sure of each other, so we decided to spend more precious time with each other. I feel shy to write something like this to everyone, but I think I’d appreciate it if you could just congratulate me. Thank you for always sending me a lot of support.”

He tied the knot later that year with his non-celebrity girlfriend who’s nine years his junior and a fashion industry professional in a private ceremony at the Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong, central Seoul. The star-studded event was attended by the crème de la crème of the South Korean entertainment industry including Bigbang’s G-Dragon and Taeyang; Goblin star Lee Dong-wook; Super Junior’s Kim Hee-chul, Eunhyuk and Kyuhyun; Park Shin-hye, EXO’s D.O. and Chanyeol, SNSD’s Sunny, Lee Soo-hyuk, 2NE1’s Sandara Park and more.

Raised in Los Angeles, California, Han Ye-seul moved to Korea and pursued a career in acting at a young age and has since played leading roles in K-dramas such as Couple or Trouble (2006), Tazza (2008), Birth of a Beauty (2014) and Big Issue (2019). While she hasn’t been as active in the Korean entertainment circuit of late, she often communicates with her fans through her YouTube channel, which she launched in 2019.

In 2024, the actress uploaded a video to her YouTube channel to announce her marriage registration. She had been openly dating Ryu Sung-jae, her then-boyfriend who’s 10 years younger, since 2021. In the video, she said, “I’ve been eager to share this joyful news. We’ve officially registered our marriage. By the time you see this, we will already be legally married. I am now a married woman. I wanted to directly inform everyone who loves me in a casual way, just like I am.”

A few hours later, she shared the joyful news on her Instagram, writing, “We just finished marriage registration!! Although we didn’t have any ceremony or even a party, but who cares? We love each other, can’t wait to start another day as husband and wife, and we both are not the ceremonial type!”

A member of TVXQ, arguably one of Asia’s most successful music acts of their generation, Changmin kept news of his relationship under wraps for a few years until his agency, SM Entertainment, announced that he would be getting married.

SM Entertainment confirmed the news in an official statement, adding, “To respect the fiancée, who is a non-celebrity, and the families of both sides, we will keep specific details such as the location and time of the wedding private; we ask for the fans’ and the news reporters’ understanding.”

Changmin also dedicated a handwritten letter to his fans, thanking them for their continued support. The K-pop idol married his non-celebrity girlfriend in a private ceremony in September 2020. To date, he still hasn’t revealed his wife's identity or face, and there isn’t much information about her. Two years into his marriage, he became a father to a baby boy.

In December 2024, The Penthouse actor Um Ki-joon, who famously shares a close bond with fellow actors Yoo Jun-sang, Min Young-ki and Kim Bup-rae, became the last of the group to get married.

The 48-year-old actor announced his marriage to his non-celebrity girlfriend in a handwritten letter on Instagram, saying, “I never imagined I would find someone to spend my life with. However, I’ve met someone warm-hearted and deeply considerate, and we’ve decided to start a new chapter together through marriage.” He also thanked his fans, adding, “I will never forget the love and support you have always shown me. I will continue to work harder to repay your love.”

Um tried the knot in a ceremony that was held privately out of respect for his bride’s non-celebrity status.

In October 2024, Tale of the Nine Tailed actress Jo Bo-ah married her non-celebrity boyfriend. The groom’s identity has been kept private as he’s a non-celebrity, stirring much curiosity over his identity.

Her agency XYZ Studio shared the news through an official statement, saying, “Jo Bo-ah has met a precious person with whom she has mutually built deep trust and affection over a long period, and they decided to promise to spend the rest of their lives together this coming fall. The wedding will be held privately at a location in Seoul in consideration of the non-celebrity groom and both families. We deeply appreciate the many people who have always supported actress Jo Bo-ah with unwavering and warm hearts. We kindly ask for your warm blessings for Jo Bo-ah. To repay the love fans have shown, she will continue to showcase excellent performances as an actress, so please show lots of interest and support.”

The close-knit ceremony, held at the Grand Walkerhill Hotel’s Aston House, which also hosted Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin’s nuptials in the past, was attended by her friends, family, acquaintances and co-stars. Queen of Tears actor Kim Soo-hyun, who is currently filming the black comedy K-drama Knock-Off with her, was also spotted among the guests. The venue was featured in the Queen of Tears wedding scene as well.

Lee Sang-yeob, known for his performances in popular K-dramas like While You Were Sleeping (2017) and Eve (2022), married his long-time, non-celebrity girlfriend in an intimate ceremony at a wedding hall in Jamsil, Seoul, in 2024. The lavish but private event was attended by only family members and close acquaintances to protect the privacy of his bride.

Following the ceremony, the charming actor took to his Instagram to share gorgeous photos from the ceremony, writing, “I met an amazing friend I want to spend the rest of my life with. For all the remaining time I have left, I will love and be happy without regrets. To everyone who blessed us on the first day of our new spring together, I sincerely want to express my gratitude. Thank you very much.”

“To all the fans, friends, and family who always support me, I will repay you as a person who has grown even more and as an actor. Thank you,” he added.

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