It’s true! There are in fact K-pop idols that have tied the knot, despite the growing pressure from the industry to maintain singleness, or at least the aura of it. The large and ever-growing Hallyu wave is not without its faults, and has come under backlash for its continuous need to portray idols as single and available. Worse yet, many of these artists are warned to stay away from relationships, so they don’t run the risk of losing their fans. Some fans of the genre have been known to be intense sometimes, and have even resorted to online bullying whenever their favorite stars have entered into relationships.
Knowing how busy idol life is, many believe it is very hard to enter or maintain relationships, but the stars on this list have not only found success, but have gone even further to become husband and wife. One major issue facing many idols is their hectic work schedules, travel itineraries, and media and performance training, which keeps them on-the-go for most of the year. This is another factor that keeps the artists from entering into relationships, and sometimes when they do, it is with a fellow idol. In cases of the latter, many view it as a publicity stunt, so as to unite two fandoms together which will result in more streams, and the skyrocketing sales of tour tickets and merchandise.
However, despite all these, some idol relationships continue to flourish, and some have even started families of their own! Here are 10 K-pop idols that gleefully said “I do!”
BIG BANG’s Taeyang
Dong Young Bae, popularly known as Taeyang, is a singer, songwriter, dancer, and member of the famous boy group Big Bang. He made his debut in 2006 with the group and has continued to soar in fame ever since. Bae tied the knot with the famous actress Min Hyo Rin in 2018, three years after confirming they were dating back in 2015.
EXO’s Chen
Kim Jong Dae, also known as Chen, is a singer, songwriter, and member of the boy group EXO. Chen began his idol career in 2012 as an EXO member and has garnered love from fans all over the world. In 2020, the singer announced his marriage to his non-celebrity girlfriend through a handwritten letter released by SM Entertainment. Alongside the news of the wedding came the news of her pregnancy. The lovely couple currently has two children.
iKON’s Bobby
Kim Ji Won, also known as Bobby, is a singer, songwriter, rapper, and member of the boy group iKON. Bobby is a well-respected artist and is also known for finishing first place in the survival show, Show Me the Money 3. In 2021, the iKON member announced via his Instagram that he would be marrying his non-celebrity fiancée, and that the two were expecting a child together. The couple welcomed their first child in September 2021.
F.T. Island’s Min Hwan
Choi Min Hwan is a singer, drummer, and actor. The talented performer, who is now in his thirties, is also a member of the rock boy band F.T. Island. He made his group debut in 2007 and has steadily been building his solo music career since 2018. In 2018, Min Hwan announced his wedding to the former Laboum member Yulhee, and also announced that the couple were expecting their first child. Min Hwan is currently a father of three children: one boy, and twin girls.
After School’s Kahi
Park Ji Young, popularly known as Kahi, is a singer, dancer, and actress. She is also a member of the girl group After School, which debuted in 2007. Kahi “graduated” from After School in 2012 and has been active with a solo career since then. In the first quarter of 2016, the singer announced her marriage to the CEO of Incase Korea, Yang Jun Mu. The couple has welcomed two sons since their marriage.
Crayon Pop’s So Yul
Park So Yul is a singer and TV personality. She was also a member of the girl group Crayon Pop, which debuted in 2012. So Yul left the group in 2017 to focus on her solo activities and family. The TV personality is married to former H.O.T. member Moon Hee Joon. The two tied the knot in 2017 and have since then welcomed two sons into their family.
S.E.S.’s Bada
Choi Sung Hee, popularly known as Bada, is a singer, songwriter, musical actress, and TV presenter. She was a member of the first-ever K-pop girl group S.E.S. which debuted in 1997 but later disbanded in 2002. She began working on her solo career a year later and has made a name for herself in the industry. In 2017, Bada got married to her non-celebrity boyfriend. The couple welcomed their first child in 2020, three years after tying the knot.
U Kiss’ Hoon
Yeo Hoon Min, professionally known as Hoon, is a singer and actor. He is also a member of the boy group U Kiss, which debuted in 2011. He began building his solo career in 2009 and has been quite successful. Hoon’s entertainment agency Tango Music announced in 2022 that the singer would be getting married to former Girl’s Day member Hwang Ji Sun.
Wonder Girls’ Sunye
Min Sun Ye is a singer, actress, and missionary. She was a member and leader of the girl group Wonder Girls, which debuted in 2007. In 2013, Sunye stopped promoting with the group before officially leaving the group a year later. Sunye got married to her fiancé James Park in 2013, and the couple has welcome three children into the family.
Super Junior’s Sungmin
Lee Sung Min is a singer, songwriter, and actor. He was a member of the boy group Super Junior, which debuted in 2005 and is still active. In 2014, he got married to musical actress Kim Sa Eun in a private wedding ceremony. Sung Min has been inactive since then. He has completed his military service and wants to focus on his solo activities and family.