So, let's talk about the guy behind the scenes. You’ve probably seen Hong Jin Kyung everywhere—towering over people in Single’s Inferno, making bank with her massive kimchi empire, or just being her usual chaotic, hilarious self on YouTube. But for years, there was this quiet curiosity about the man she was married to. For over two decades, he was mostly a shadow in the headlines.
Then came August 2025, and everything shifted.
After 22 years of marriage, Hong Jin Kyung confirmed she and her husband, businessman Kim Jung-woo, had officially called it quits. It wasn't some scandalous, tabloid-fueled blowout. Honestly, it was one of the most adult, "cool-headed" celebrity breakups we've seen in the Korean entertainment industry. But to understand why people are still talking about them, you have to look at who he actually is and how this power couple functioned for a quarter-century.
Who is Kim Jung-woo?
Kim Jung-woo isn't a celebrity, though his family background sounds like something straight out of a K-drama. He’s five years older than Hong, making him around 53 or 54 now. He didn't just stumble into business; he came from a family with serious roots in Seoul's elite circles. His mother was a well-known figure who operated a prestigious school foundation in the Apgujeong-dong area.
Think about that for a second. Apgujeong is basically the Beverly Hills of Seoul.
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Growing up in that environment, Kim developed a knack for business early on. While his wife was the face of the brand, Kim was the one often credited with helping manage the family's substantial wealth and offering strategic stability. They weren't just a married couple; they were a corporate powerhouse.
The legendary "Kissing" first date
The way they met is kind of hilarious and perfectly "Hong Jin Kyung." Back in the late 90s, the late actress Choi Jin-sil—who was a legend in her own right and Hong’s close mentor—set them up on a blind date.
Hong Jin Kyung didn't play it cool. At all.
She has admitted on several shows that she fell for him the second she saw him. In fact, she was so smitten that she actually kissed him on their very first meeting. Imagine being Kim Jung-woo—this composed businessman from a "good family"—and getting ambushed by a supermodel on day one. He actually tried to dodge her for a while after that! He kept his distance, probably a bit overwhelmed, but she was persistent. She called him every single day. Eventually, her charm (and maybe her relentless energy) won him over. They dated for five years before finally tying the knot in 2003.
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The 22-Year Marriage and the "Hollywood" Divorce
For a long time, they seemed untouchable. They went through a grueling seven-year journey with fertility treatments before finally welcoming their daughter, Kim Ra-el, in 2010. Ra-el has since become a bit of a star herself on Hong's YouTube channel, Study King Real Genius.
So, why did they split?
According to Hong's own words on her friend Jeong Seon-hee’s YouTube channel, it wasn't because of a specific "incident" or some betrayal. Basically, they just realized they wanted to live different lives. She described it as "becoming strangers" to regain their "true friendship."
It’s sorta weird but also kind of beautiful.
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Life after the papers were signed
- The "Brother" Dynamic: Hong now refers to Kim Jung-woo as a "really good brother."
- Frequent Visits: He still comes over to the house all the time to see Ra-el.
- The In-Laws: This is the most shocking part—Hong's mother and her former mother-in-law still hang out and grab meals together. They’ve dubbed it a "Hollywood-style" relationship because it's so amicable.
- The Daughter's Role: Ra-el is 15 now. Hong actually waited to announce the divorce until Ra-el was old enough to understand and agree with the decision.
The Business of Being "The Kimchi Queen"
You can't talk about her husband without mentioning the money. Hong Jin Kyung’s kimchi business, The Kimchi, has seen cumulative sales hit a staggering 310 billion KRW (that’s roughly $230 million USD).
While many assumed her husband was the one bankrolling her at the start, Hong has been vocal about her own financial independence. Recently, she even had to clear up rumors about celebrity salaries, emphasizing that she manages her own costs and earns "decently" herself. However, Kim Jung-woo’s business acumen undoubtedly played a role in how they structured their lives. He was the silent partner in the truest sense—providing a foundation of privacy while his wife became one of the most recognizable faces in the country.
What Really Matters Now
If you're looking for dirt, you're not going to find it here. The story of Hong Jin Kyung and Kim Jung-woo is less about a "failed marriage" and more about two people who spent 27 years together (including dating) and decided that the romantic chapter was over, but the family chapter wasn't.
Hong has been candid about the loneliness that comes with being single again. She’s joked about getting "angry" seeing other celebrities' lovey-dovey Instagram posts. She even admitted to having "bipolar-like" emotional shifts after the divorce, moving from laughter to tears in seconds. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s why her fans love her.
Actionable Insights for Following the Story:
- Watch the "Study King" Channel: If you want to see how the family dynamic works now, Ra-el appears frequently on the YouTube channel Study King Real Genius. You get a sense of the grounded upbringing Kim and Hong provided.
- Check the Subtitles: If you're an international fan watching her on Single's Inferno, pay attention to her side comments about "being out of the game." She often drops subtle, hilarious truths about her new life as a divorcee.
- Business Watch: Keep an eye on the expansion of The Kimchi in the U.S. via H-Mart. It's a case study in how a celebrity can pivot from "funny person" to "serious CEO," a transition Kim Jung-woo reportedly supported from the sidelines for decades.
The marriage is over, but the partnership—in parenting and mutual respect—seems more solid than ever. That’s a rare win in the world of celebrity gossip.