K-pop idols’ most epic wedding dresses, from Lee Hyori’s US$120 vintage shop find and Eugene of S.E.S.’ Monique Lhuillier gown, to Crayon Pop singer Soyul’s A-line design with 3D detailing

Dec 20 , 2021

How K-pop stars dressed for their big day: Crayon Pop’s Soyul dazzled in an A-line wedding dress, S.E.S’ Eugene went all out in A-lister-approved Monique Lhuillier, while Wonder Girls’ Hyerim daringly customised her wedding shoes with bright pretty flowers. Photos: @sssssssoyul’ @wg_lim/Instagram; @Bada0228/Twitter

OK, we often get to see what our favourite K-drama stars look like in a wedding dress, thanks to the dramatic demands of acting in series where romance most often takes a central theme.

But when it comes to K-pop stars, we have to wait for the real deal. And that can be bittersweet, as fervent fans often do not come away too pleased when they hear their favourite idol is tying the knot (which is why, incidentally, so many stars keep their relationships secret).

Still, a marriage is a beautiful day, and for any observer, the bride’s dress is naturally a prime concern. So from 10 million won (US$8,400) blowouts to thrift store finds costing almost 100 times less, this our pick of seven of the most memorable wedding outfits worn by K-pop brides.

1. S.E.S.’ Eugene went all out in A-lister-approved Monique Lhuillier

S.E.S.’ Eugene has similar bridal fashion taste to Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson. Photo: @Bada0228/Twitter

The first generation K-pop diva, who’s also known as a star of the TV series The Penthouse, married South Korean actor Ki Tae-young in 2011. She walked down the aisle in an A-line wedding dress designed by a renowned American designer Monique Lhuillier. A smart choice, as the brand is also loved by many Hollywood stars including Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson.

How much did K-drama’s biggest stars make per episode in 2021?

According to The Korea Economic Daily, many wedding dress designers competed for the honour, and Lhuillier’s official importer for South Korea said the designer spent months designing the final article. The price? Around 10 million Korean won (US$8,400), according to Sports Seoul.

2. Fin. K. L’s Sung Yu-ri graced her intimate ceremony in an ornate lace-layered dress

Another diva of K-pop’s first generation, Sung Yu-ri – from the group Fin. K. L, which is also known as a “rival” of S.E.S. – chose to have an intimate wedding similar to her bandmate (and celebrity landlord) Lee Hyori. In fact, so intimate was Sung’s marriage to South Korean pro golfer Ahn Sung-hyun that not even her bandmates were invited, with just close family in attendance.

Known as the group’s “visual centre”, Sung stunned at the occasion in a layered lace wedding dress from Zimmermann, notably choosing not a classic gown from an expensive luxury brand, but a modern style. According to The JoongAng, the price of the dress is known to be US$1,800.

3. Wonder Girls former member Hyerim daringly customised her wedding shoes with bright flowers

If you’ve been following Korean celebrity weddings, you’ll probably already know that Kim Tae-hee customised her dress when she married the singer Rain. Perhaps following this cue, former Wonder Girls member Hyerim customised her own wedding shoes in a daring but tasteful fashion.

Hyerim’s customised wedding shoes. Photo: @wg_lim/Instagram

They matched well with her off-shoulder wedding dress worn at the ceremony, but Hyerim also showed off several other gowns in photos, including a fluffy bell-line wedding dress, and also matched a tiara with a silver one-piece dress.

The top 10 breakout K-drama actresses of 2021, from Jung Ho-yeon to Han So-hee

4. Crayon Pop’s Soyul dazzled in an A-line wedding dress with 3D flower detailing

Crayon Pop’s Soyul on her big day. Photo: @ssssssssoyul/Instagram

Moon Hee-joon – a first generation K-pop idol from H. O. T, age 43 – and Soyul – a third generation idol, age 30 – turned more than a few heads when news broke that they were getting married in 2017, not least because Soyul was still a rookie 26-year-old back then. But fans were quickly won over by the union after seeing the beautiful wedding dress that Soyul wore on the big day.

For the main ceremony, she chose a classic A-line design from NY Bridal Philippa – a popular South Korean wedding dress shop renowned for its feminine style – ornamented with 3D flower details. She also wore NY Bridal Philippa for the wedding photos, rocking a gorgeous A-line frock with gold details.

5. Wonder Girls’ Sunye chose a premium Korean wedding dress

Wonder Girls leader Sunye married missionary James Park in 2013. Photo: JYP Entertainment

If you’re a true K-pop fan, you probably still remember how all the news headlines were filled with former Wonder Girls leader Sunye’s marriage to missionary James Park back in 2013. Naturally, the wedding dress she wore also became a hot topic – or rather dresses, plural.

Sunye wore three designs by Lee Myung Soon Wedding Dress. Photo: @jypnation/Twitter

She wore three different designs including one for the press conference, another for the ceremony, and a third after-party dress – and all three came from premium South Korean brand Lee Myung Soon Wedding Dress. The designs varied from mermaid style to an off-shoulder H-line dress, and it was surprising to hear that Sunye asked the brand to also prepare dresses for her bandmates serving as bridesmaids and her friend who received the bouquet.

29 Korean stars who tested positive for Covid-19, including Blackpink’s Lisa

6. Humble wedding trendsetter Lee Hyori’s US$120 wedding dress

Lee Hyori is widely credited with starting the intimate wedding trend among Korean celebrities, but the legendary K-pop diva’s nuptials with Lee Sang-soon still stand out in the public imagination for two reasons. because of the rural Jeju Island locale, and also because she made her vows in a US$120 dress bought while on holiday in Thailand.

Lee shared the story on the couple’s Hyori’s Homestay show, talking about how she found the dress in her twenties. While travelling, she visited an American vintage shop, found this long white dress, and decided she would one day wear it as a wedding dress. And her dream came true!

5 K-pop idols whose siblings are as attractive as they are

7. S.E.S.’ Bada chose a Ji Chun-hee wedding dress – and so did Lee Na-young and Lee Bo-young

Bada of girl group S.E.S. (centre), joined by her bandmates on her wedding day. Photo: @bada0228/Instagram

Just like Wonder Girls’ Sunye chose a Korean premium wedding dress brand, Bada from S.E.S. also chose one from a renowned local designer: Ji Chun-hee has been in the business for more than 40 years, working closely with many popular Korean actresses for both drama costumes and wedding dresses.

Bada wore a gorgeous bell line wedding dress, a matching bridal hairband and beautiful pearl earrings. She is not alone: I Hear Your Voice K-drama star Lee Bo-young also received a wedding dress from Ji as a wedding gift, while Lee Na-young wore the brand for her wedding to Won Bin.

Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

South Korean celebrities

Channelling Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson’s favourite brand, The Penthouse star Eugene chose a Monique Lhuillier luxury wedding dress costing over US$8,000
S.E.S.’ Bada, Lee Na-young and Lee Bo-young all chose veteran Korean designer Ji Chun-hee for their big day – but did Hyerim take inspiration from Rain’s wife, Kim Tae-hee?