7 Korean Celebrity Couples with Large Age Differences Who Have Lasted Until Now, Some Started as Affair Partners

Kapanlagi.com - Age is just a number, an expression that is appropriate for these Korean celebrity couples. Despite a significant age gap, they prove that their relationships can last until now.

Here are Korean celebrity couples who defy social standards of age in romance and still maintain harmony in their households. Check them out!

1. Lee Byung Hun and Lee Min Jeong

With a 12-year age difference, actor Lee Byung Hun (52) and actress Lee Min Jeong (41) met through an acquaintance in 2006 and went public as a couple in 2012. They got married in 213 and were blessed with a child in 2016.

This couple admitted to breaking up in the early stages of their relationship because Lee Byung Hun was a top actor while Lee Min Jeong was a newcomer. Lee Byung Hyun, who lived abroad for work, felt like he was hindering Lee Min Jeong from pursuing her future. They decided to break up due to their different schedules, but reunited when Lee Byung Hun returned to Korea.

After that, this couple got married. They attended a Versace fashion show together as a couple who never age and did fun family activities such as going to Universal Studios with their son.

2. Moon Heejun and Soyul

In November 2016, former H.O.T. member Moon Heejun (45) and former Crayon Pop member Soyul (32) drew attention with news that they were dating and would be getting married in February 2017. Netizens were not only surprised by the sudden announcement, but also by the 13-year age difference between the couple.

Moon Heejun and Soyul were blessed with their first child, Moon Hee Yul, also known as Jam Jam. The little one became famous through the reality show The Return of Superman.

In the fall of 2022, the couple added another child to their family and they continue to live happily together.

3. So Ji Sub and Cho Eun Jung

In 2019, Dispatch revealed photos of actor So Ji Sub (45) and reporter Cho Eun Jung (29) on a date, and they confirmed the news. Despite the 17-year age gap, chemistry between them was evident from the beginning.

The couple fell in love when they met on SBS Access Showbiz Tonight. At the time, So Ji Sub and actress Son Ye Jin were guests to promote the film 'BE WITH YOU', while Cho Eun Jung was the host who led the interview.

They got married in 2020 and even donated 50 million won (approximately $44,000) to Good Children to help students affected by Covid-19. At the end of 2022, So Ji Sub and Cho Eun Jung went to support painter Park Seo Bo and took a photo with him.

It was the couple's first public appearance since getting married in 2020.

4. Baek Jong Won and So Yoo Jin

The 15-year age difference between chef Baek Jong Won (56) and actress So Yoo Jin (41) became a trending topic in the entertainment industry. But netizens were even more surprised to hear that So Yoo Jin's parents had a 30-year age difference.

So Yoo Jin also stated that her parents were so happy in love and never fought despite the significant age gap, which made her decide to marry an older man.

They got married in 2013 and have been blessed with three children, one boy and two girls. The couple is always happy and recently celebrated Children's Day together by doing fun family activities.

5. Shim Mina and Ryu Phillip

In 2015, it was reported that Shim Mina (50), an iconic singer from the 2000s who became famous for her appearance at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, was dating Ryu Phillip (33), a former member of SoREAL. The two became a couple when they met at a friend's birthday party.

Their romance news broke two weeks after Ryu Phillip went to mandatory military service. They got married in 2018 and appeared on TV several times due to their 17-year age difference, a number that did not change their love for each other.

In fact, they have a YouTube channel called Philmi Couple, where they share their adventures as a married couple. Ryu Phillip is currently active in a trot idol group called K4, and Shim Mina supports every step of her husband's career.

6. Eric Shinhwa and Na Hye Mi

Eric Shinhwa (44) and actress Na Hye Mi (32) raised suspicions that they were dating in 2014 when people saw them together at an internet cafe, Shinhwa concerts, ski resorts, and supermarkets. However, they denied public suspicion at that time.

When dating speculation arose again three years later, the couple confirmed their relationship and got married in July 2017. Eric and Na Hye Mi, who have a 12-year age difference, are still happily married. On March 1, 2023, Na Hye Mi gave birth to their first son.

7. Hong Sang Soo and Kim Min Hee

With a 21-year age difference, director Hong Sang Soo (62) and actress Kim Min Hee (41) were dubbed the nation's "adulterous couple" after their extramarital affair scandal was revealed. The director left his wife and family to pursue a relationship with Kim Min Hee.

In 2017, they announced their relationship, which immediately destroyed the actress's career and caused them both to be shunned in the Korean entertainment industry. Although Hong Sang Soo filed for divorce to legalize his relationship with Kim Min Hee, he was rejected because the court deemed him responsible for the marriage's failure, so he could not be the one to end the marriage.

Since then, Kim Min Hee has been unable to participate in casting and only acts in Hong Sang Soo's works. They are still a couple and have been seen in public, such as when they attended the 2022 Berlin International Film Festival.

(kpl/rsp)