Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-a: A 10-year love story through cancer, fame, and the spotlight

There’s barely a single photo of them together online, aside from a few commercial stills, and yet they’re one of South Korea’s most beloved couples, arguably right after Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin. They’ve never even starred in a drama together.

Maybe that’s the secret to Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-a’s lasting romance: Keeping their private lives so tightly under wraps, that there’s no reason for unnecessary speculation, which is what many other couples go through. 

The early days

Shin Min-a and Kim Woo-bin first met while filming the hit advertisement for Giordano in 2015. Their chemistry in the campaign led many to speculate about a possible relationship, but it wasn’t until 2015 that rumours began to circulate that they were in a relationship. By July of that year, their agencies, AM Entertainment for Min-a and SidusHQ for Kim Woo-bin, confirmed that the two were indeed in a romantic relationship.

Since then, they kept their relationship out of the spotlight, with fans gleaning insights from different vacations and piecing it together.  One such moment came in March 2016, during the filming of Uncontrollably Fond. A food truck arrived on set, and the crew initially assumed it was a kind gesture from Kim Woo-bin himself. Instead, it was from Shin Min-a.

Support through cancer diagnosis 

In 2017,  at the age of 28, Woo-bin was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer, a rare form of cancer that affects the upper part of the throat. The news worried his fans, who rallied behind him, offering their support and well wishes. During this  difficult time, Min-a stood by him, communicated through his agency to let the fans know that he was doing well. 

Reports indicated that she was by his side throughout his treatments and recovery, supporting him emotionally and physically. She took time off from her busy schedule to be there for him, often accompanying him to medical appointments.

In an interview with Korean media outlets, Kim Woo-bin expressed his gratitude towards Min-a, saying that her support had been crucial in his recovery. "She was the one who gave me strength when I needed it the most," he said, adding that Min-a’s positive energy helped him push through the darkest moments of his treatment.

Reassurance to fans 

After a painful recovery, Woo-bin returned to acting in 2019. While there was still no chance of spotting them together, the couple would often drop subtle hints that they are still together.  In 2018, when Kim Woo-bin made his first public appearance after his battle with cancer, fans worried about Shin Min-a's absence at the event. However, Woo-bin later shared in an interview that Min-a had been with him throughout the process, even if she wasn’t physically present at the event.

The couple were in the omnibus series Our Blues, but did not share any screen space at all.  At the time, writer Noh Hee-Kyung opened up about the casting in a press conference and explained why they weren’t featuring as each other’s romantic interest. “I knew they wouldn’t join the show if they were cast as a couple. When I was casting them, they would not appear as a couple, they would have a romantic relationship with someone else.”

Agency statements and public perception

Throughout the years, both Min-a and Woo-bin’s agencies have been relatively quiet about the couple’s relationship, with AM Entertainment and SidusHQ keeping details of their personal lives under wraps. However, both agencies have consistently affirmed that the actors' relationships remain strong, and they've both shared positive updates about the couple’s health and career trajectories.

In particular, when Kim Woo-bin announced his recovery, both his and Shin Min-a’s agencies expressed relief and joy at his return to health. "Kim Woo-bin has made a full recovery and is now focusing on his future projects. We are grateful for the support he’s received and his perseverance," said a representative from SidusHQ at the time. Likewise, Shin Min-a’s agency showed their continued support for her role too.