Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon (Photo: Instagram/@salt_ent)
Cover Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon (Photo: Instagram/@salt_ent)
Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon (Photo: Instagram/@salt_ent)

The most beloved celebrity couples in Korean entertainment

Beyond K-dramas and K-pop, South Korean entertainment has given us some of the most captivating celebrity couples. These relationships have helped shape the public perception of celebrity couples in South Korea, demonstrating how public figures can maintain successful careers while nurturing personal relationships, often challenging traditional expectations about marriage and careers in Korean society.

Read more: Couple culture in Korea, from matching outfits to relationship holidays

Korean entertainment’s power couples have established new standards for success, showing how partnerships can enhance rather than hinder individual achievement. They’ve not only won hearts with their on-screen performances but have also built impressive empires through their combined influence in entertainment, business, and philanthropy.

Meet the most powerful Korean celebrity couples of our generation.

1. Rain and Kim Tae-hee

Above Kim Tae-hee and Rain’s love story

At the top of South Korea’s entertainment royalty sits the partnership of Rain (Jung Ji-hoon) and Kim Tae-hee. Since their marriage in 2017, this couple, proud parents of two daughters, has demonstrated how to balance stellar careers with family life.

See also: Kim Tae-hee: The most stylish looks from the South Korean actress

Rain, a globally recognised singer-actor, and Kim, one of South Korea’s highest-paid actresses, have an estimated combined net worth exceeding US$100 million. Their property investments alone are staggering as Kim is an avid real estate investor and owns buildings in Seoul’s prestigious Gangnam district while Rain owns a US$5.3 million villa and a six-story shopping centre in the affluent Cheongdam-dong neighbourhood.

2. Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin

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Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin (Photo: Instagram/@yejinhand)
Above Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin (Photo: Instagram/@yejinhand)
Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin (Photo: Instagram/@yejinhand)

In a true case of “from reel to real”, the stars of the hit K-drama Crash Landing on You turned their on-screen chemistry into real-life romance, marrying in March 2022. Their wedding and subsequent parenthood were the most celebrated events in Korean entertainment history.

Don’t miss: Is Hyun Bin’s US$4.3 million penthouse his new marital home with Son Ye-jin?

Both are top-tier actors commanding impressive fees for their work–Son Ye-jin reportedly earns around US$250,000 per K-drama episode, while Hyun Bin’s rate is similar. Their combined endorsement portfolio includes luxury brands like Valentino and Tom Ford.

3. Taeyang and Min Hyo-rin

Above A compilation from Taeyang and Min Hyo-rin’s wedding

Bigbang’s Taeyang and actress Min Hyo-rin represent the perfect marriage of K-pop and K-drama stardom. Since their wedding in 2018, they’ve established themselves as one of entertainment’s most respected couples. Taeyang, a legendary figure in K-pop as both a Bigbang member and a successful solo artist, continues to influence the music industry. Min Hyo-rin has built a successful career spanning modelling, acting, and fashion.

Read more: A K-pop and K-drama fan’s ultimate guide to South Korea

Their relationship, which began in 2014, has been celebrated for its longevity and strength in an industry known for its scrutiny of celebrity relationships. In 2022, they welcomed their first child, adding another dimension to their public image as they balance family life with their entertainment careers.

4. Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah

Above Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah starring in a Giordano campaign together

This beloved couple’s journey represents one of the most touching stories in Korean entertainment. Dating since 2015, Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah have shown extraordinary dedication to each other, particularly during Kim’s battle with nasopharyngeal cancer. Shin stood firmly by his side throughout his treatment and recovery, earning widespread admiration for their unwavering support for each other.

See also: Kim Woo-Bin: 20 of the Korean actor's most fashionable looks

Both are successful actors and models, with impressive careers spanning television, film, and fashion. Their relationship gained even more attention after Kim’s successful return to acting, with both stars continuing to secure leading roles in major productions.

5. Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon

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Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon (Photo: Instagram/@salt_ent)
Above Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon (Photo: Instagram/@salt_ent)
Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon (Photo: Instagram/@salt_ent)

This couple, who began dating in 2017 and tied the knot in 2022, represents the next generation of entertainment power couples. Both successful actors in their own right, they’ve maintained active careers while building a family and welcoming their first child months into their marriage.

Don’t miss: Park Shin-hye steals the spotlight in Van Cleef & Arpels creations

Park Shin-hye, known for her roles in popular K-dramas such as The Heirs (2013), Pinocchio (2014), and Doctor Slump (2024), has a solid international fanbase while Choi’s steady presence in the Korean entertainment circuit makes them particularly influential among younger audiences.

6. Bae Yong-joon and Park Soo-jin

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Park Soo-jin and Bae Yong-joon (Photo: Instagram/@yongjoon_bae)
Above Park Soo-jin and Bae Yong-joon (Photo: Instagram/@yongjoon_bae)
Park Soo-jin and Bae Yong-joon (Photo: Instagram/@yongjoon_bae)

Bae Yong-joon and Park Soo-jin wed in 2015 and are proud parents to two children. Though less active in front of cameras now, this couple has transformed their entertainment influence into business success. Bae, once known as the “King of Hallyu” thanks to Winter Sonata’s (2002) evergreen popularity which heralded the beginning of the Korean Wave across Asia, has built a successful entertainment and lifestyle empire.

Read more: Coffee Prince, Boys Over Flowers and more: The best K-dramas of all time

While he retired from acting after 2007, he remains active as the chairman of management agency KeyEast. Together with his wife, they prove how celebrity couples can evolve their influence beyond traditional entertainment.

7. Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung

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Lee Min-jung and Lee Byung-hun at the 2023 Versace Fashion Show in Los Angeles (Photo: Instagram/@216jung)
Above Lee Min-jung and Lee Byung-hun at the 2023 Versace Fashion Show in Los Angeles (Photo: Instagram/@216jung)
Lee Min-jung and Lee Byung-hun at the 2023 Versace Fashion Show in Los Angeles (Photo: Instagram/@216jung)

One of Korea’s most celebrated couples, Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung have been married since 2013. They welcomed their first son in 2015 and their second child, a daughter, in 2023.

This couple represents the perfect blend of domestic and international success. Byung-hun has established himself in Hollywood with roles in major productions like G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), and Terminator Genisys (2015). He’s also known for his formidable role in the phenomenal Squid Game series.

See also: How ‘Squid Game’ cemented its place in pop culture and why it will be remembered

Meanwhile, Min-jung has maintained a strong presence in K-dramas despite a five-year hiatus. She’s set to make her comeback in the upcoming K-drama, Fine, Let's Get Divorced, starring alongside Kim Ji-suk and Ki Eun-se. Their combined influence spans both Korean and international entertainment markets.

8. Yoo Jae-suk and Na Kyung-eun

Above Yoo Jae-suk and Na Kyung-eun’s love story

Prominent South Korean comedian and beloved television personality Yoo Jae-suk is widely recognised for hosting roles on popular variety shows like Infinite Challenge and Running Man. He met his then-girlfriend Na Kyung-eun in 2006 when they were working on the set of Infinite Challenge, where she was an announcer.

In 2008, Yoo and Na announced their engagement and tied the knot in a private wedding ceremony that was attended by close friends and family. They had their first child, a son, Yoo Ji-ho, in 2010, and their second child, a daughter, Yoo Na-eun was born on 19 October 2018. Na has since swapped her broadcasting mic for maternal duties.

Don’t miss: Korean celebrities’ balancing act in staying authentic while going global

Despite being a public figure, Yoo keeps his family life very private, rarely sharing details about his wife and children. However, he has occasionally expressed his deep appreciation for his wife, crediting her with supporting him throughout his career.

9. Jo Jung-suk and Gummy

Above Jo Jung-suk and Gummy

Hospital Playlist actor and popular OST singer Gummy have one of the most beloved celebrity relationships in Korea. They were introduced by a mutual acquaintance in 2013 and they started dating shortly after meeting, keeping their romance private for several years before confirming their relationship publicly in 2015. In 2018, Jo and Gummy announced that they were getting married. Instead of a grand ceremony, they chose to celebrate their union in a quiet and meaningful way.

Read more: Music matters: How soundtracks help create memorable K-drama moments

In August 2020, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter. Jo has spoken about how much he admires Gummy and how she has been a great source of strength in his life. Gummy, in turn, has praised Jo for his humour and kindness. Despite their busy schedules, they support each other’s careers. Jo often mentions how he listens to Gummy’s music, and Gummy has said she watches his dramas and movies.

10. Jung Kyung-ho and Choi Soo-young

Above Jung Kyung-ho and Choi Soo-young

Jung Kyung-ho and Girls’ Generation member Choi Soo-young met by chance through mutual friends although Jung, who was already a fan of the K-pop girl group, has mentioned in interviews that he admired Choi even before they started dating.

See also: Girls’ Generation: How rich are the members of the K-pop girl group?

The couple started dating in 2012 but kept their relationship private for two years, though they were spotted in public a few times. In 2014, their relationship was made public after being confirmed by both of their agencies. Despite their celebrity status, the couple has maintained a low-key and drama-free relationship for over a decade–a rare textbook relationship for a pair who lead such busy lives.

Since they have been together for so long, many fans wonder if they will get married soon. While neither has confirmed specific wedding plans, Jung once hinted in an interview that marriage is always a possibility in the future.

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