One of the most talked-about stories in South Korean entertainment is the upcoming arrival of the first child for talented director Hong Sang Soo (65) and actress Kim Min Hee (43). Despite not being legally married, the couple has been together for nearly a decade and faces mixed public opinion.
Relationship Details and Future Plans
According to a legal expert on YTN Radio, Kim Min Hee and Hong Sang Soo have not yet registered their marriage legally. However, the unborn child will be registered under the mother’s name, while director Hong will go through the adoption process. Under South Korean civil law, the child will still have inheritance rights from the father if they can prove a direct bloodline.
Kim Min Hee and Hong Sang Soo have been together for nearly a decade and are expecting their first child.
It is worth noting that Hong Sang Soo has a substantial fortune worth over 120 billion won (approximately $100 million USD), inherited from his late mother, Jeon Ok Sook, a pioneering female filmmaker in Korea. This has sparked significant public interest in the future child’s inheritance rights.
Nearly a Decade of Turbulence Together
Kim Min Hee and Hong Sang Soo first met in 2015 during the production of Right Now, Wrong Then. Two years later, they publicly acknowledged their relationship, but immediately faced intense criticism from the public. The director’s ex-wife and daughter accused Kim Min Hee of being a “third party” who interfered with a decades-long marriage.
Despite the backlash, both stayed together. In 2017, Kim Min Hee openly addressed the criticism and societal pressure, leading to a strong boycott movement in Korea, even estranging her from her own mother.
The couple frequently appears together at international events.
Over the past nearly a decade, Kim Min Hee has largely withdrawn from the Korean entertainment industry, focusing on films directed by her partner and living abroad. In recent years, the couple has returned to Korea, fueling rumors that they got married in the U.S. in 2023, though neither has commented on these reports.
Notable Careers and Achievements
Despite personal challenges, Kim Min Hee has maintained her international status as a versatile star in Korean cinema, with notable works like The Handmaiden, The Priests, and Hellcats.
Their collaboration with Hong Sang Soo has also yielded significant success. Films such as The Day After, Claire’s Camera, and On the Beach at Night Alone have received critical acclaim and made waves at international film festivals. Notably, Hong Sang Soo won the Best Director award at the Berlin Film Festival for The Woman Who Ran.
The latest photo of the couple taken in January 2025.
However, Kim Min Hee’s career in Korea has been significantly impacted. She lost many endorsement deals and has rarely appeared in major projects. Meanwhile, Hong Sang Soo’s relationship with his ex-family has grown increasingly strained. There are reports that he has cut off contact with his daughter and did not attend her wedding a few years ago.
Conclusion
The story of Kim Min Hee and Hong Sang Soo exemplifies love overcoming obstacles, but it has also faced numerous challenges from public opinion and family. The upcoming birth of their first child marks a significant milestone in their personal lives and draws special attention due to the vast fortune the child may inherit.
Ultimately, what matters most is the happiness and stability of this small family. Stay tuned for more updates on this controversial yet fascinating couple!
Source: YTN Radio, Naver, Dispatch
