내가 사랑이 뭔지 안다면 당신 덕분입니다 – “If I know what love is, it is because of you.”
South Korean power couple Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah exchanged vows on December 20, 2025, at 7 p.m. in an intimate, invite-only ceremony at The Shilla Hotel’s elegant Jangchung-dong venue in Seoul, marking the culmination of a 10-year romance that endured the unimaginable trials of his 2017 nasopharyngeal cancer diagnosis. After first crossing paths during a 2014 Giordano clothing campaign shoot—sparking quiet chemistry that went public in 2015—their bond was forged in fire when Kim faced nosebleeds, sore throats, and a shocking prognosis mid-filming, with doctors initially giving him mere months,
Shin Min-a wore a stunning strapless white wedding gown adorned with delicate floral embroidery, custom-designed by renowned Lebanese couturier Elie Saab. Estimated at around $28,600, the elegant piece hailed from the designer’s spring 2026 bridal lineup. Courtesy of AM Entertainment
Shin stood steadfastly by his side, shielding him from media frenzy while providing emotional anchor through grueling chemotherapy, radiation sessions that stripped his taste buds and energy, and endless hospital days, all without seeking credit or publicity.
Through Cancer’s Shadow: A Love Unshaken
What elevates their story to iconic status is Shin’s role as the silent guardian during Kim’s darkest hour—sources describe her orchestrating private care, ensuring nutritional focus amid treatment side effects like fatigue and isolation, and maintaining normalcy as he battled a rare head-and-neck cancer with survival odds stacked against him.
Kim later reflected in interviews that her presence, alongside light exercise and rest, was pivotal to his full recovery by late 2017, allowing comebacks in blockbusters like Alienoid (2022) and Netflix’s Officer Black Belt (2024), while earning them “nation’s model couple” acclaim alongside peers like Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin. Fans adored leaked glimpses of her anonymous donations to his treatment centers, underscoring a partnership where love meant quiet action over grand gestures, transforming potential tragedy into testimony of devotion.
Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah’s Wedding: Personal Touches and Privacy Pledge
The December 20, 2025, ceremony at The Shilla Hotel in Seoul’s Jangchung-dong pulsed with intimate, handmade details that mirrored Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah’s creative spirits and unyielding commitment to privacy. AM Entertainment’s November 20 announcement framed their union as a natural evolution of “deep trust and irreplaceable companionship,” with Kim preempting it via a raw, handwritten fan cafe letter to “Wooribin” supporters: expressing profound gratitude for enduring his cancer hiatus, vows to cherish Shin as his family-builder, and promises of continued personal growth together.
The bespoke invitation featuring Shin’s whimsical hand-drawn illustration paired with Kim’s elegant calligraphy, warmly stating “You are invited to the wedding of Kim Woo Bin and Shin Min Ah. Please join us!” leaked online days before, delighting netizens with its artisanal charm and symbolic unity of their artistic worlds.
Comedian Lee Kwang-soo, a longtime confidant from shared variety shows and Kim’s inner circle, emceed the 7 p.m. affair, infusing levity and warmth into the family-and-close-friends-only guest list (estimated 50-100 attendees, strictly no paparazzi, broadcasts, or media intrusion). This deliberate veil of seclusion honored their decade-long journey—especially Shin’s low-key guardianship through Kim’s 2017 nasopharyngeal cancer treatments—prioritizing heartfelt toasts over spectacle, much like their “model couple” ethos akin to Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin.
Industry whispers hint at fellow actors like Lee Jong-suk (from Kim’s W School days) and possibly EXO’s D.O. (via agency ties) among guests, though unconfirmed to uphold the couple’s privacy pledge. Post-nuptials, they debunked pregnancy rumors, reaffirming career focus while their story inspires as enduring love’s quiet triumph.
Celeb Circle and Future Horizons
While exact attendees stay under wraps per their privacy ethos, industry whispers suggest fellow actors like Lee Jong-suk (from W School days) and possibly EXO’s D.O. (shared agency ties), plus relatives—no A-list extravaganza, just heartfelt toasts. Post-nuptials, both debunked pregnancy buzz, affirming focus on careers: Kim eyes All the Love You Wish For with Bae Suzy, Shin preps dramas, their story inspiring as a blueprint for weathering storms together. This wedding isn’t just a celebrity milestone—it’s proof that true partnership shines brightest in adversity.
A Wedding That Became a Gift
Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah made a significant joint donation of 300 million KRW (about $220,000 USD) on their wedding day, December 20, 2025, channeling their joy into philanthropy for health and vulnerable communities. The funds supported the Hallym Burn Foundation (aiding burn victims with medical costs), Asan Medical Center in Seoul (cancer treatment for children, tying to Kim’s own nasopharyngeal cancer history), and Good Friends (humanitarian aid for underprivileged groups). AM Entertainment confirmed this year-end gesture hours before or during the private Shilla Hotel ceremony, turning their union into a “giving moment” that went viral, with fans dubbing them the “giving couple”.
Lifetime Philanthropy Legacy
This wasn’t isolated—Shin has donated ~4 billion KRW since 2009, focusing on burn patients since 2015, while Kim’s 1.1+ billion KRW since 2014 targets teen support, cancer kids via Asan, and disaster relief (COVID, wildfires, floods). Combined, their giving exceeds 5 billion KRW, often anonymously, amplifying their “model couple” image post-Kim’s 2017 recovery. Wedding favors included luxury brand gifts from Shin’s ambassadorship, and officiant Ven. Beopryun (Kim’s cancer-era spiritual guide) added heartfelt depth.
You Can Also Read Kim Woo-bin and Nasopharyngeal Cancer: How He Went Against, How He Survived, and More by OncoDaily
Written by Aharon Tsaturyan, MD, Editor at OncoDaily Intelligence Uni
FAQ
When did Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah get married?
Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah were married on December 20, 2025, in a private evening ceremony held in Seoul.
Where was Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah’s wedding held?
Their wedding took place at The Shilla Hotel in Seoul, one of South Korea’s most prestigious and discreet luxury venues, known for hosting high-profile private ceremonies.
How long did Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah date before getting married?
The couple dated for nearly 10 years, beginning their relationship publicly in 2015 after meeting during a 2014 Giordano fashion campaign.
Did Kim Woo-bin’s cancer affect their wedding plans?
Yes. Kim Woo-bin’s 2017 nasopharyngeal (throat) cancer diagnosis significantly shaped their journey. Shin Min-ah supported him throughout treatment and recovery, and the couple chose to marry years later after his full recovery, making their wedding a symbol of resilience and long-term commitment.
Was Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah’s wedding private or public?
The wedding was strictly private, attended only by close family and friends. The couple requested no media coverage, no live broadcast, and no paparazzi, consistent with their long-standing commitment to privacy.