For some celebrities, the paperwork comes before the wedding march. Several Korean stars have recently chosen to legally register their marriages before holding formal ceremonies, drawing public attention to this growing trend.
On February 27, Girls’ Generation actor Byun Yo-han and Tiffany Young officially completed their marriage registration, becoming a legal couple just two months after going public with their relationship. Byun’s agency Team Hope said the couple had decided to formalize their union based on deep trust and love, adding that they wanted to share the news with fans first.
As for the wedding ceremony, the agency explained that no specific date or location has been confirmed. The couple is reportedly considering holding a small private ceremony in the form of a family worship service at a later date. Amid speculation about a possible premarital pregnancy, the agency strongly denied the rumors, clarifying that the couple were dating with marriage in mind and had simply chosen to complete legal registration before planning a ceremony.
Comedian Yoon Jung-soo also registered his marriage before the wedding. In July last year, he completed the paperwork with his wife, Won Ja-hyun, who is 12 years younger than him. Appearing on the Canale A program “Best Friend Documentary: Table for 4” Yoon explained that the decision was linked to access to medical services linked to pregnancy and infertility support programmes. The couple then held their wedding ceremony in Seoul in November 2025 and are reportedly preparing for a baby through IVF treatment.
Similarly, actress Lee Yoo-young became a legal wife before having a wedding. In May 2024, she registered her marriage with her non-famous husband, also announcing her pregnancy. She welcomed her son and held the wedding ceremony a year later. After the event, Lee said it was a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, full of joy and gratitude, made even more meaningful by the presence of her husband and baby.
Singer Ailee and her husband Choi Si-hoon also prioritized legal registration before their wedding. Ailee they explained that the move was practical because it allowed them to register their home as joint ownership. She candidly confessed that they even booked a wedding venue early in their relationship, believing that if things didn’t go well, they could just cancel the booking. The couple finally had their wedding ceremony in April last year.
As more public figures choose to legally formalize their unions before hosting traditional celebrations, the entertainment industry’s definition of marriage appears to be shifting, placing practicality and personal time above convention.
Sources: Naver
