Leader of the group Koyote, Kim Jong-min, discussed his changed daily life after marriage and future prospects.
Kim Jong-min, who gained attention as a dancer for the choreography team 'Friends' and for singer Um Jung-hwa, officially started his career in the entertainment industry in 2000 with Koyote's third album 'Passion.' As the leader of Koyote, the longest-running co-ed group in Korea, Kim Jong-min showcases explosive energy on stage, and another area where he shines is in entertainment.
Charming despite being clumsy and silly, Kim Jong-min, who surpassed being a 'blue chip' in entertainment to become a 'mainstream trend,' has been a significant member and symbol of KBS2's flagship entertainment program '1 Night 2 Days.' He won the grand prize at the 2016 KBS Entertainment Awards and was named among the 50 people who shone at KBS in 2023. He has also been nominated for the 'Entertainer of the Year' award at KBS Entertainment Awards every year since 2021.
After debuting without any significant controversies while balancing his activities as a singer and entertainer, Kim Jong-min found a life partner at the age of '45' in 2025. He tied the knot with an 11-year younger non-celebrity partner at the Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, on April 20. His wife is known to be an 11-year younger entrepreneur, and Kim Jong-min's nickname is 'Ddiruk,' while his wife's nickname is 'Hiyung.' Kim Jong-min is called 'Ddiruk' because he has a bit of a belly, and his wife is referred to as 'Hiyung' because she is said to be cheerful.
The host of the first part of the wedding was Yoo Jae-suk, while Jo Sae-ho and Moon Se-yoon hosted the second part. The celebratory songs were performed by Dongbang, Lee Jeok, and Lyn. Among the guests were Koyote members Shin Ji and Baekga, as well as Lee Hyori, Um Jung-hwa, Jang Su-won, Kim Sang-hyuk, Lee Min-woo, Tony An, and Hwasa, who all congratulated Kim Jong-min and supported his rosy future. After the wedding, Kim Jong-min went on a honeymoon to southern France, which he had postponed for about a month, and returned on the 15th to resume his work.
The interview took place just a day after Kim Jong-min returned to Korea from his honeymoon. Although he might have been tired from the long trip to France, a happy emotion filled his face. Kim Jong-min commented on marriage, saying, "It's so amazing that there is excitement about the future. It's the same kind of excitement as whether we can hold hands as we grow old. There should be a process of building a family together, and that part is thrilling. People who have been married for a long time might find it amusing, but having that excitement is so fascinating."
How did Kim Jong-min gain confidence about marrying his 9-year younger wife? He said, "During the two and a half years we dated, I felt very comfortable. It's natural to feel good and love, but I think I never did anything she disliked. That made me feel even more affectionate, and I thought, 'Who else would I marry if it's not this person?'"
Kim Jong-min's romance and marriage were conducted in strict secrecy. This was because details were kept under wraps until he revealed them on air. He stated, "It wasn’t that I was hiding everything tightly. Whether as entertainer Kim Jong-min or person Kim Jong-min, I didn’t intend to hide my relationship. However, since my wife is a non-celebrity, there were some cautious feelings."
He continued, "I don't feel stressed about my wife being exposed in the media, but I do pay attention to her feelings. Since we were just married, the attention pouring in seems burdensome. I believe it will get better as time goes on, but I’m saying, 'I will also be careful' about that. I don't intend to push her into activities or hold her back. If she wants to do something, she will, and if she doesn’t, that’s fine. So I think it's important to be considerate. If she decides to go into broadcasting activities later, I can let her know the pros and cons."
As Kim Jong-min approaches the two-month mark of being married, he remarked, "Being alone and being together is completely different, right? Because of that, I think I need to be more attentive, and I have become more considerate. I also find that the stories of seniors who are married now resonate with me. When I was single, I didn't understand what they were talking about, but now I think back to those stories and listen to them more. That said, I can’t be a high-end romantic husband like Choi Soo-jong or Sean, but I do want to be a good husband."
During their three-week honeymoon, was there no good news? Kim Jong-min replied, "Not yet. We’ve discussed having a second child with my wife. We have plans to be healthier, exercise more, and have kids. I said at the wedding that two kids is the goal, and while I feel like we should do this soon, I'm not anxious and just want to follow the plan. I'm hoping for a daughter and a son, but I don't care about the order or gender."
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