Entertainment

Friends to Life Partners: The Park Shin-hye And Choi Tae-joon Relationship Timeline

Published

8m ago

Mar 04, 2024 / 2088 Views

Evan Walker

South Korean actor Park Shin-hye and her husband Choi Tae-joon, who starred in the hit K-drama Suspicious Partner, have been the talk of K-town ever since they confirmed their relationship in 2018. From their friendship during graduation days to sincere love declaration and finally an iconic wedding — the star couple’s relationship timeline is a fairytale worth revisiting.

With undeniable charm and chemistry, Park and Choi garnered critical and public appreciation as co-stars after their much-loved K-drama cameo in the 2012 show The King of Dramas.

Starting early in the industry, both the celebs debuted as child actors. Park started her journey as a 13-year-old and debuted in 2003 with the music video for veteran singer Lee Seung-hwan’s hit song “Do You Love Me!” Over the years, the actor has had the most exciting and critically acclaimed titles to her credit. These include hits like The Heirs (2013), Pinocchio (2014), The Beauty Inside (2015), Heart Blackened (2017), Sisyphus: The Myth (2021) and Doctor Slump (2024). Park will be next seen in the fantasy romance The Judge from Hell, slated to release in 2024.

Meanwhile, Choi made his acting debut as a child actor by playing the younger version of actor Jo In-sung’s character in the 2001 TV series Piano. Standouts from his portfolio include hit K-dramas like All About My Mom (2015), 109 Strange Things (2017), The Undateables (2018), So I Married an Anti-Fan (2021) and Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022).

A close look at Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon’s love story

The university that started it all

Did you know Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon met during their university days? Both actors majored in Theater and Film at Chung Ang University and since then have been friends. While they both are 1991 born, Park was Choi’s sunbae (senior) at the university as she was part of the freshman batch of 2008, while the latter enrolled in 2009.

First interaction as co-stars

In 2012, Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon made a cameo appearance in the first episode of the Korean romantic comedy The King of Dramas. They played two lovers who were involved in a tragic car accident and viewers couldn’t get enough of the duo’s chemistry.

While the show marked their first on-screen appearance together, it also acted as a turning point in their relationship.

‘Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon spotted together’

Five years after their cameo appearance, the Celebrity couple got entangled in a series of dating rumours. And confirming the speculations, The Doctor Slump star was seen enjoying multiple warm dates in 2017, with her now-husband Choi. So much so that “Park Shin Hye and Choi Tae-joon Joon have been spotted together” became a common recurring headline in multiple K-media outlets.

The couple was first papped together in April 2017, enjoying an overseas vacation. Following that, Park and Choi reportedly enjoyed an aquarium date and a month later, were spotted at a national park with friends.

Popular K-news outlet Dispatch once again spotted the star couple at a grill restaurant in August 2017.

Responding to the dating rumours, Park said in a statement to K-media outlet Soompi, “I [date] in secret. I don’t think there’s really a need to date publicly. I think it’s necessary to separate personal matters from professional matters.”

She added with a laugh, “I’ll just announce when I’m getting married.”

It’s official: Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon are in a relationship

It was on 7 March 2018 that Dispatch first reported about Park Shin-hye and Choi’s relationship. The K-media outlet also published various pictures from their secret dates.

After the confirmation, a source close to both actors informed Soompi that they usually enjoy quiet dates at Park’s place and love hanging out with their friends.

Meanwhile, Park’s label SALT Entertainment said, “Park Shin Hye and Choi Tae Joon have been close friends, but started seeing each other near the end of last year. They give strength to each other. Please look fondly on the couple who’ve started to date recently.” Consequently, Choi’s label Santa Claus Entertainment also admitted, “We checked on the dating rumours, and they’ve been dating since the end of last year.”

Additionally, during an interview for the 2020 Netflix film #Alive, Park Shin-hye personally addressed questions about her love life and said that she was still steadily dating Choi Tae-joon.

The couple announces wedding plans and pregnancy

According to a November 2021 report by Soompi, the news of Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon’s wedding plans was first announced by their agencies.

On 23 November 2021, their agencies made official statements and shared that the Korean celebrity couple’s wedding would be held privately on 22 January 2022 in Seoul. SALT Entertainment also revealed that Park was pregnant.

Following this, the two actors wrote letters in their fan cafes to share the news.

Park was nervous about publicising her wedding and pregnancy news but was honest with her fans. She wrote, “I’m very nervous to be sharing this news today, and on one hand, I’m worried that you might be very surprised by this sudden news. But I still wanted to tell all of you first. I am getting married with the person I have been in a relationship with for a long time. He has been a source of support for a long time and embraced all of the shortcomings of the person Park Shin Hye, and I would like to begin a life as a married couple with him. And though I am cautious to say this as it is very early on, I was blessed with a baby. I wanted to tell you before anyone else. I will show you a positive side after I start a family as well. Thank you for supporting my lacking self with your love. It will take some time, but I will work hard to return as a great actress soon so that you don’t have to wait too long. Please stay healthy until then, and I will close my letter here.”

Meanwhile, Choi introduced Park by saying that he had maintained a meaningful relationship with her for a long time. He wrote, “With a trembling heart, I am writing this post to share some news that I would like you to know first before anyone else. I’ve exchanged various emotions with and maintained a meaningful relationship with someone for a long time. She is like a savior to me who taught me without words to smile brightly when I’m happy and to cry out loud when I’m sad. Now, we would like to make our marriage vows and let this love that I’m grateful for bear fruit. And though I feel cautious saying this, we were blessed with a baby while preparing for the new chapter in our lives.” Further sharing about him being ready to be a family man, Choi said, “I will show you my responsibility as a member of a family, and as actor Choi Tae Joon, I will greet you with acting that meets your expectations.”

When Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon exchanged vows

It was on 22 January 2022 that Park and Choi tied the knot at the Oryun Community Church in Seoul.

The charming venue was filled with flowers and foliage, as well as multiple celebrity friends of the couple. The guests included Park’s BFF and You’re Beautiful co-star Lee Hong-ki, who made everyone nostalgic by performing the K-drama OST “I’m Saying” from The Heirs.

Meanwhile, hip-hop artist Crush and EXO member D.O., who previously worked with Park in the movie My Annoying Brother, serenaded the couple with the OST “Beautiful” from the 2016 K-drama Goblin.

Other popular Korean celebrities who attended the couple’s wedding include Lee Min-ho, IU, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Bum, Kim Myung-min, Kim Hyun-woo, Lee Dong-hwi, Ryu Jun-yeol, Namgoong Min, Nam Ji-hyun and Bae Jung-nam.

Parents to a baby boy

On 31 May 2022, Park’s agency SALT Entertainment made the news public with an official statement, “Hello, this is SALT Entertainment. We are sharing news that actress Park Shin Hye gave birth to a Healthy baby boy at a hospital in Seoul today (May 31). Actress Park Shin Hye and her child are in good Health, and she is resting with the blessings of her husband, actor Choi Tae Joon, and her acquaintances.

Her agency further thanked fans for their wishes and said, “We express deep gratitude to everyone who has sent congratulatory messages, and we ask that warm blessings and support be sent to actor Park Shin Hye and Choi Tae Joon who have welcomed a valuable life. Thank you.”

First Anniversary trip

In February 2023, Korean media outlet Koreaboo revealed that Park Shin-hye and Choi Tae-joon reportedly Travelled to Hawaii to celebrate their first anniversary.

The outlet further shared a few pictures of the couple taken by a netizen where Park was seen adorably cuddling her husband at a Japanese restaurant.

In 2024, the couple posted New Year greetings on JTBC’s social media and said, “2024, the year of the dragon is here. We wish good Health, happiness and luck.”

Well, all thanks to the K-drama cameo, Park and Choi grew close and ended up giving fans a love story for the ages. We wish them a lifetime of togetherness.

(Hero image: Courtesy salt.ent/Instagram; Featured image: Courtesy Laciel.co.kr/Instagram)

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Kuala Lumpur