A moving officiant’s speech from the couple’s wedding is shining a new light on Kim Woo-bin and Shin Mina’s decade-long love story―one that weathered illness, recovery, and deep devotion.
On December 22, Jungto Society shared why Buddhist monk Venerable Pomnyun officiated the ceremony and released highlights from his remarks at the pair’s December 20 wedding at The Shilla Seoul.
In his address, Venerable Pomnyun praised Shin Mina’s long-running philanthropy, noting that for over a decade she has quietly supported underprivileged children and North Korean refugees. He added that the couple’s day-to-day choices already model what it means to live together with care and purpose.
The monk also shared that when Kim Woo-bin battled nasopharyngeal cancer in 2017, he found comfort through counseling, while Shin Mina stayed by his side as a caregiver. Ahead of the wedding, the couple donated 300 million won to several organizations, including Good Friends, the peace, human rights and refugee aid group founded by Venerable Pomnyun.
One story in particular captured hearts: during Kim’s health struggle, Shin reportedly balanced an offering of rice on her head and climbed to a Bodhisattva of Compassion shrine on Gyeongju’s Namsan to pray for his recovery―an act of devotion that crossed religious lines. The monk reflected that Kim’s return to health and the couple’s promise of a lifetime together feel like the natural result of a profound bond.
Offering grounded advice for newlyweds, Venerable Pomnyun reminded guests that love won’t always feel like it does on the wedding day. To keep marriage from becoming confining, he urged the pair to lean on each other while honoring each other’s freedom; to let respect and understanding of their differences be the base of their love; and to shoulder not only marital but social responsibility together. “For today’s happiness to last a lifetime, two whole people―not two halves―must come together,” he said.
Actor Lee Kwang-soo emceed the ceremony, while a starry guest list―BTS’ V, Kong Hyo-jin, Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri, Uhm Jung-hwa, Yoo Hae-jin and veteran actress Ko Du-shim―turned out to celebrate the couple.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)