Shinhwa's Kim Dong-wan Reveals He Prefers a Wedding-Free Marriage

Kim Dong-wan, a member of the legendary K-pop group Shinhwa and an actor, has expressed his desire to marry without having a traditional wedding ceremony.

On the October 27th episode of MBC's 'Radio Star,' Kim Dong-wan appeared as a guest alongside Kim Eung-soo, Baekga, and Kim Ho-young. At 45 years old, Kim Dong-wan shared, “People call me a non-marriage advocate, but I am actually a marriage advocate. I want to complete my life through marriage,” showing his strong intention to marry. Recently, fellow Shinhwa member Lee Min-woo announced his marriage to a third-generation Korean-Japanese single mother, who is also expecting a child. When asked if he feels pressured by time, Kim Dong-wan candidly admitted, "It's too late to feel rushed. I want to get married, but I don't know when it will happen."

Kim Gura asked, “How many women have you met through TV shows?” referring to Kim Dong-wan's past appearances on dating shows like 'Love's Greeting,' where he was chosen by a female college student named Kkotnim among fierce competition. Although he recently showcased a romantic storyline with Seo Yoon-ah on 'Groom Class,' he naturally exited the show after July last year.

Kim Dong-wan did not comment on Seo Yoon-ah but explained his desire to marry by saying, “A psychologist once told me that as we age, time seems to pass quickly because we don't remember experiences we've already had. Marriage is a new experience that allows you to perceive time differently.”

However, Kim Dong-wan has specific criteria for marriage that even matchmaking companies find challenging. Due to allergies, he cannot live in newly built apartments, preferring older ones. He also stated, “I don't want a wedding ceremony. I think Western customs are unnecessary. I'd rather spend the wedding budget on my wife and family.” He added, “I want a marriage without a ceremony, just a simple ritual,” which drew playful jeers from the show's hosts.

Reported by Tae Yuna, TenAsia youyou@tenasia.co.kr