Singer and TV personality Kim Jong-min, long cherished for his sweet and slightly goofy image on Korean television, recently stepped into a new chapter as a late-blooming groom—and public attention is turning toward his stunning bride, especially after an unexpected wedding photo leak revealed her resemblance to Kim Ji-won and Red Velvet’s Irene.
Kim Jong-min’s Bride Draws Comparisons to Kim Ji-won and Irene
The beloved 2 Days & 1 Night cast member tied the knot on April 20 in a private ceremony held at The Shilla Seoul’s grand ballroom. Since announcing his marriage, public curiosity has skyrocketed over the identity of Kim Jong-min’s wife.
She is 11 years younger, reportedly an entrepreneur, and though Kim chose not to reveal her face to protect her privacy, those who saw her during wedding preparations described her as elegant and slender. Her voice, which aired during broadcasts, was noted to be equally charming.
On the January 26 episode of SBS’s My Little Old Boy, Kim showed her photo to his castmates during a celebratory “brother shower.” The reactions were glowing: comedian Heo Kyung-hwan said, “She’s lovely,” while Lee Sang-min exclaimed, “You’re really living well, Jong-min. She’s beautiful.” Choi Jin-hyuk took it further, calling her “Miss Korea-level,” and fellow stars agreed she bore an uncanny resemblance to Kim Ji-won and Irene.
Unexpected Reveal: From Private Ceremony to Viral Photo
Although Kim Jong-min held a closed-door wedding and had repeatedly stressed his wish to “protect” his wife by not showing her face publicly—even during interviews—an unexpected incident changed everything.
Singer Insooni, a guest at the wedding, accidentally uploaded a photo of the couple on Instagram that showed the bride’s face unblurred. In the photo, Kim’s wife looked radiant in her white gown, her elegant features and delicate silhouette immediately turning heads and further fueling comparisons to top Korean visual stars.
Insooni soon deleted the post and issued an apology on April 21: “I didn’t realize the wedding was private. The couple looked so beautiful that I posted the photo without thinking. I deeply apologized to them, and though they said it was okay, I still feel heavy-hearted.”
Despite the misstep, the public’s reaction remained overwhelmingly supportive, with many expressing admiration for Kim Jong-min’s respect for his wife’s privacy—and now, for her ethereal beauty.
“He Understands My Feelings Well” — A Loving Couple
Kim Jong-min’s wife, whose voice was revealed during a live phone call on My Little Old Boy, melted hearts with her affectionate words. When asked why she loved Jong-min, she replied, “He’s very reliable and considerate. He understands my feelings well.” With a playful tone, she added, “Though he sulks sometimes, but even that’s cute.”
Kim previously emphasized on Barefooted Singles that keeping her face private was “a way to make her feel cared for,” reflecting his protective nature.
The newlyweds are set to depart for a three-week honeymoon in southern France starting in late May. This vacation will mark the first time in 18 years that Kim Jong-min will miss filming KBS2’s 2 Days & 1 Night, a show he’s been with since its very first episode in 2007.