Ji Ye-eun and Vata to marry Dec 12 on dancer's birthday

Actress Ji Ye-eun and dancer Vata (real name Kim Tae Hyun) are set to marry this December. The two, both born in 1994, first met as friends at a church and developed a romance over the course of about a year. Based on deep mutual trust, the couple has decided to tie the knot.

Ji Ye-eun's agency, CP Entertainment, stated on the 2nd, “The two have promised to share their lives based on deep trust,” adding, “We ask for your warm congratulations and support for the two as they prepare for their new beginning.”

The wedding is scheduled for December 12. Since their relationship was first revealed last April, the couple has continued to date publicly. At that time, both sides acknowledged the relationship, stating, “The two, who have been colleagues, are dating with good feelings for each other.” Since then, they have established themselves as a prominent public couple in the entertainment industry by naturally expressing their affection through broadcasts and social media.

In particular, the two have shown extraordinary intimacy by even revealing the nicknames they use for each other. Ji Ye-eun has not hidden her affection, such as mentioning Vata by the nickname 'Gang-adi' on broadcasts, and it is known that Vata stayed by her side during her most difficult times. As it was reported that Vata provided vital emotional support during Ji Ye-eun's battle with thyroid cancer, it is evident that their relationship has evolved beyond simple public dating into a deep partnership of mutual support.

Their connection extends beyond their private lives. Last year, when Ji Ye-eun formed the project group 'Chungju Ji-ssi' with Ji Suk-jin and performed at 'Waterbomb Seoul 2025,' Vata participated in the choreography. He directly composed the movements for the 'Milkshake' stage, supporting his partner's professional endeavors. Their shared background as industry colleagues is seen as a factor that has further strengthened their bond.

Ji Ye-eun began her acting career in 2017 with the web drama 'How To.' Since then, she has appeared in 'Yellow,' 'The Taste of a Cat,' 'Night Has Come,' and 'Actor Class,' gaining significant public recognition through seasons 3 and 4 of Coupang Play's 'SNL Korea.' Utilizing her unique ability to play sly characters and her improvisational variety sense, she has worked across the boundaries of acting and variety shows, and is currently a fixed member of SBS's 'Running Man.'

Along with the news of Ji Ye-eun's marriage, attention is also focused on the 'Running Man' cast. As colleagues who have watched her growth are expected to attend the wedding, a scene where she jokingly asked singer Kim Jong Kook, “You'll sing the wedding song, right?” on a previous broadcast is gaining renewed attention. While it was merely a variety show moment at the time, the statement is being reinterpreted as a real-life foreshadowing of her marriage.

Vata gained fame after appearing on Mnet's 'Street Man Fighter' in 2022 as the leader of the dance crew WDBZ, where he took second place. Since then, he has expanded his career by participating as a coach in the KBS idol survival program 'Make Mate One' and has established himself as a prominent choreographer for hit songs such as Zico's 'New Thing' and BLACKPINK JENNIE's 'like JENNIE.'

Their marriage draws interest because two individuals from different stages have expanded their relationship from 'same-age friends' to lovers, and finally to life partners. Behind the cheerful public dating revealed through social media, the significance of the announcement grows due to the time they spent supporting each other through personal hardships.

When celebrity relationships lead to marriage, public interest often focuses on the trials the couple has endured together rather than flashy events. Ji Ye-eun and Vata naturally became part of each other's lives while working in their respective fields of broadcasting and dance, and they are now preparing to officially start their lives as a family on December 12.