Singer Kim Jong-kook marries non-celebrity in private ceremony
Singer Kim Jong-kook strikes a pose with peace signs. He is set to marry a non-celebrity woman at a private venue in Seoul, Friday. Newsis
Singer Kim Jong-kook ties the knot today (Sept. 5) in a private wedding with his non-celebrity partner, joining the ranks of married stars at the age of 49.
The ceremony is being held at an undisclosed venue in Seoul, attended only by family, relatives and close friends. Longtime friend and entertainer Yoo Jae-suk serves as host of the ceremony.
Yoo said he had never been asked to host a wedding with such little notice, but promised to adjust his schedule, adding, “Even if I have a recording that day, I will make it work.”
Kim first announced the marriage on Aug. 18 through a handwritten letter on his official fancafe.
“I’m getting married,” he wrote. “This year marks my 30th anniversary since debut, and instead of making an album, I’ve found my other half. I hope you will congratulate and support me. It may feel sudden, but I believe it’s a blessing to reach this point. I will do my best to live well.”
The bride’s identity has drawn public curiosity, but Kim has made clear she will not be revealed. On SBS variety shows, he said, “She won’t appear on ‘My Little Old Boy’ or even on my YouTube channel. Family is family, and work is work. She is not someone from the entertainment industry.”
Following the ceremony, the couple is expected to settle into their new home in Seoul’s Nonhyeon-dong. Kim purchased a luxury villa in the neighborhood earlier this year for about 6 billion won ($4.3 million), saying on SBS’ “My Little Old Boy” that the property would become their newlywed home.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.