Nine Korean celebrity stories that made global headlines in 2017
K-pop stars and celebrities from the ROK have been making the headlines this year for a host of reasons – mostly good, but some sad
As STYLE wraps up the year, we take a look back at some of the biggest news from the fast-paced world of Korean entertainment.
Rain marries Kim Tae-hee (January 19)
Singer-songwriter and actor Rain (stage name of Jung Ji-hoon) and actress Kim Tae-hee – his girlfriend of five years – tied the knot early in 2017. Kim and Rain are both Catholics, and so opted for a small, private wedding ceremony in a Catholic church.
The couple first met in 2011 while shooting a commercial together, and later started dating. In 2013, Rain made headlines when he flouted his military service rules in order to meet Kim.
Rain first debuted as a member of a boy band, Fanclub, in 1998 before making his successful solo debut as a singer in 2002. As an actor, he starred alongside Song Hye-kyo in the popular romantic comedy series Full House (2004); he also played starring roles in the Hollywood movies Speed Racer (2008), directed by the Wachowskis, and Ninja Assassin (2009), produced by the Wachowskis.
Kim is one of the biggest actresses in South Korea, and has played starring roles in some of the most popular TV series to hit the country, including Stairway to Heaven (2003) and Iris (2009). She graduated from Seoul National University – the “Harvard” of South Korea. (Coincidentally, she played a Harvard medical school student in the 2004 Korean drama series Love Story in Harvard).
On October 25, Rain posted a photo of a baby’s pink booties onto his Instagram account, announcing the birth of his and Kim’s baby daughter.