When people talk about Korean power couples, the names Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung usually pop up pretty fast. But honestly, even with all the new stars hitting the scene in 2026, nothing quite touches the sheer scale of the Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung wedding. It wasn't just a ceremony. It was a cultural reset for the Hallyu world.
Think about it. You had the guy who conquered Hollywood in G.I. Joe and Red 2 marrying the "Nation's Goddess" from Boys Over Flowers. August 10, 2013, was the date. The venue? The Grand Hyatt Seoul. It felt like the entire city held its breath that Saturday.
The Guest List That Looked Like an Awards Show
If you weren't at the Hyatt that day, were you even in the industry? Kidding, but only slightly. The guest list was basically a "who's who" of South Korean royalty. We're talking 900 guests.
Imagine walking into a room and seeing Jang Dong-gun and Ko So-young just chilling. Then you turn around and there’s So Ji-sub, Song Seung-heon, and Kim Tae-hee. Even Hollywood made an appearance in spirit and person—Lee’s Red 2 co-star Ray Stevenson actually flew in for the festivities.
It wasn't just actors, though. You had the industry veterans, the power brokers, and the variety stars. Shin Dong-yup handled the hosting duties for the second half, and if you know Shin, you know it probably got a little rowdy (in the best way).
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A Dress That Defined "Ethereal"
Lee Min-jung didn't just wear one dress. Obviously. For the press conference before the main event, she went with this stunning, lace-detailed white gown that felt very "princess-chic." But it was the actual ceremony dress that really stuck in people's minds.
It was Marchesa. Full-on lace bodice, long sleeves, and a train that seemed to go on for miles. It was classic. Some people at the time called it "predictable," but looking back from 2026, it’s one of the few wedding looks that hasn't aged a day. It was timeless.
The Secret "Breakup" Most People Forget
Most people think it was a straight line from meeting to the altar, but that's not the case. They actually dated way back in 2006. She was just starting her career, and he was already a massive star.
They broke up because of the timing. He was always overseas; she was trying to find her footing. They spent years apart. It wasn't until a random phone call from him in 2009—while he was filming G.I. Joe—that things reignited.
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Honestly, it's kinda romantic. He told her he'd see her when he got back to Korea. He kept the promise.
Why the Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung Wedding Still Matters
You might wonder why we’re still talking about a wedding from over a decade ago. It’s because it survived.
Not long after the "I dos," the couple hit some incredibly rough waters. We all remember the 2014 blackmail scandal. It was messy. It was public. Most couples would have folded, especially with the world watching. But they didn't.
Lee Min-jung’s decision to stay and work through it redefined her image from just a "pretty face" to a woman of incredible steel. They’ve since welcomed two children—a son, Joon-hoo, in 2015, and a daughter, Seoi, in late 2023.
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Small Moments vs. Grand Gestures
Despite the $70,000 honeymoon in the Maldives (at the Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, if you're keeping track of the luxury), the couple always claimed they wanted "trivial happiness."
Lee Byung-hun once said in a press conference that they wanted to find joy in the small things, not just the grandeur. It’s a bit ironic considering they had 100 reporters and 900 guests, but seeing them now in 2026, still together, you kind of believe them.
Fun Facts You Probably Missed
- The Food: Lee Min-jung recently joked on a talk show that she was so chill about the planning, she just told the experts to handle the food and flowers. She didn't micromanage a thing.
- The After-Party: It was way more fun than the stiff ceremony. Apparently, there was a karaoke room at her parents' house where the party continued.
- The Performances: Dynamic Duo performed, and according to Min-jung, she was dancing so hard her husband had to tell her to calm down for a second.
What You Can Learn From Their Journey
If you're looking at this couple for inspiration, don't just look at the Marchesa dress or the Grand Hyatt ballroom. Look at the resilience.
- Timing isn't everything: They failed in 2006 and succeeded in 2013. Sometimes you need to grow up separately before you can grow together.
- Private vs. Public: They kept their children's faces blurred for years, protecting their privacy while living very public lives. It’s a balance that works.
- Forgiveness is a choice: Their marriage survived a scandal that would have ended most. It shows that "happily ever after" usually requires a lot of hard work behind the scenes.
If you're curious about how they're doing now, Lee Min-jung has been more active on her YouTube channel lately, giving silhouetted glimpses of their daughter and sharing bits of their life in 2026. It’s a far cry from the high-glamour wedding day, but in many ways, it's more interesting to see the "trivial happiness" they actually managed to build.
Next steps for you: If you want to see the visual evolution of their style, check out Lee Min-jung's official Instagram (@216jung) where she occasionally posts throwback shots that give a more personal look at their life than any tabloid ever could. Or, if you're a film buff, go back and watch Mr. Sunshine to see Lee Byung-hun at his peak, knowing the stable family life he was going home to during filming.