Koo Kyo Hwan and filmmaker Lee Ok Seop have been legally married since 2022, their agency Namoo Actors confirmed on October 1, 2026. The couple registered their marriage quietly four years ago and did not hold a wedding ceremony. The news came to light after Korean media outlet Xports News reported the registration earlier the same day. The two first met in 2013 while working on a short film and have been both life partners and creative collaborators ever since.
Namoo Actors Confirms the Marriage in an Official Statement
The agency released a statement on October 1 that confirmed the legal registration. Namoo Actors said the two have relied on each other as partners for a long time and completed their marriage registration in 2022.
“Koo Kyo Hwan and Lee Ok Seop registered their marriage in 2022 and became a married couple.” — Namoo Actors
The statement also noted that the two have stayed by each other’s side as closest colleagues and family. No wedding ceremony took place after the registration, and there are no plans to hold one. The agency asked for warm support for the couple as they continue their respective careers.
A 13-Year Journey From Short Film Set to Married Life
Koo Kyo Hwan and Lee Ok Seop both graduated from the Seoul Institute of the Arts. They became a couple in 2013 while filming Lee’s short film “A Dangerous Woman” (also referred to in Korean reports as “4th Grade Bogyoung”). The two kept their relationship private for seven years before publicly confirming it in 2020.
The couple has worked together on multiple projects. Their shared credits include “Leave a Message After Beep” (2018) and “Maggie” (2019). They also run a YouTube channel called “2x9HD” where they share creative work and behind-the-scenes content. Their upcoming collaborations include the film “Your Country,” starring comedian Jang Do Yeon, and “Love Counselor,” starring Lee Na Young.
Koo Kyo Hwan, 44, debuted in 2008. He gained wide recognition for roles in “Peninsula” (2020), “Escape from Mogadishu” (2021), and the Netflix series “D.P.” seasons one and two. His role as a genius villain in the zombie film “Colony” brought him further international attention. His latest film, “Reawaken Man: the Red,” opened in Korean theaters on September 30, 2026.
We Are All Trying Here Sets April Premiere With Koo Kyo Hwan and Go Youn Jung
Lee Ok Seop, 39, has directed short films since 2007. She is currently working on her second feature film, which stars Lee Na Young.
Fan Reactions Split Between Congratulations and Questions
Social media responses to the news were mixed. Many fans celebrated the couple and sent congratulations. One popular comment called them a “double-power couple”. Another user wrote that they are a very well-matched pair.
Not all reactions were positive. Some netizens questioned why the marriage was kept private for four years, with comments asking whether Koo had been “acting like a bachelor” during that time. Other users defended the couple’s choice, saying that when to share marriage news is a personal decision.
One comment pointed out that registering the marriage without a wedding ceremony fits the couple’s character: “Quietly becoming family after a long relationship is actually cool”.
You May Also Like:
Lee Ok Seop Addressed Marriage in a 2023 Interview Without Revealing the Truth
A 2023 appearance by Lee Ok Seop on the YouTube show “Ieungdigeutdigeut” has drawn new attention after the marriage news broke. At the time, the public believed the two were simply a long-term couple. Director Jang Hang Jun told Lee that couples who date for around ten years should marry within a season to keep things fresh, suggesting the pair seemed to have no interest in marriage.
Lee, who was already legally married at that point, did not correct him. She responded carefully, saying she was not sure and that the thought of having a child felt frightening because it would create someone extremely precious.
Koo Kyo Hwan and Lee Ok Seop continue to work on separate and joint projects. The couple has not shared wedding photos or held any public celebration.
Also Read: Koo Kyo Hwan’s Reawaken Man: The Red Teaser OUT – He Gets Stronger Every Time He Dies
Keep following VvipTimes for more Korean entertainment news and updates on your favorite stars.
Leave a Reply