A deeply personal story of devotion and resilience emerged during the wedding ceremony of Korean stars Shin Min Ah and Kim Woo Bin, offering rare insight into the strength that sustained them through one of the most difficult chapters of their lives.
The couple, who officially tied the knot on December 20, were married in a ceremony officiated by Monk Beopryun, a respected Buddhist figure who has supported both actors for many years. During the ceremony, the monk shared a moving account of Shin Min Ah’s quiet act of faith during Kim Woo Bin’s battle with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2017.

A Prayer Carried in Silence
According to Monk Beopryun, Shin Min Ah once carried a bundle of rice on her head as an offering and climbed Namsan Mountain to pray before a statue of Kannon, the Bodhisattva of compassion. The prayer was not publicized, nor was it intended to be known. It was a private act, born out of fear, hope, and unwavering love, made during a time when Kim Woo Bin’s health was at its most uncertain.
“During that period, Woo Bin was facing serious health difficulties,” the monk recalled. “Min Ah carried rice offerings and prayed sincerely for his recovery. After that, Woo Bin gradually regained his health, and today, they stand here together, holding hands and promising to share their lives.”
He described the moment as “the result of a deep bond,” one forged not only through affection, but through endurance and shared suffering.
Spiritual Support Through Illness

Kim Woo Bin has previously spoken about the immense comfort and guidance he received from Monk Beopryun throughout his cancer treatment and recovery. Shin Min Ah, too, found strength in those teachings, which helped her remain emotionally grounded while caring for her partner during his illness.
The monk also praised Shin Min Ah’s character, noting her long-standing commitment to helping underprivileged children, a cause she has supported quietly for more than a decade.
“She is warm and kind,” he said. “She has consistently chosen compassion, even when no one was watching.”
A Message Beyond Romance
Beyond recounting the couple’s past, Monk Beopryun used the ceremony to reflect on the realities of marriage itself. He spoke candidly about the challenges of long-term partnership, emphasizing that love is sustained not only by closeness, but by mutual respect.
“Living together is not easy,” he said. “Differences in perspective naturally arise, and conflicts come from those differences. Couples should not only rely on emotional warmth, but also respect each other’s independence and freedom.”
He urged the newlyweds to remember two essential values: respecting differences and understanding one another.
Love, Responsibility, and Public Life
The monk concluded with a reminder that love, especially for public figures, carries responsibility beyond the private sphere.
“Any conflict between you is not just a personal matter,” he said. “So many people love and support you both. That love comes with a responsibility to give back and to live in a way that reflects the care you have received.”
In sharing this story, the wedding ceremony became more than a celebration—it became a reflection on faith, perseverance, and the quiet acts of devotion that often shape life’s most meaningful outcomes.
For fans, the revelation offers a poignant reminder that behind the glamour of celebrity life lies a deeply human story—one of hope carried up a mountain, and love strong enough to endure the hardest trials.