Musicians EJAE and Samuel Kim hold private wedding in Seoul

Singer-songwriter EJAE and producer Samuel Kim held a private garden wedding in Seoul on the 17th, moving the ceremony forward from a planned November date in the United States. The couple wed at Stage 28, the former residence of EJAE's maternal grandfather, veteran actor Shin Young-kyun.

Singer-songwriter EJAE (Kim Eun-jae) and producer and composer Samuel Kim, who led the music for the Netflix animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters', held a private wedding ceremony. Originally scheduled to take place in the United States this November, the couple moved the date forward by about a month to wed in Seoul on the 17th. Interest in the special choice of venue has grown as it was revealed that the wedding took place at a location with deep ties to EJAE's maternal grandfather, veteran actor Shin Young-kyun (99).

According to the American fashion magazine Vogue on the 20th, the two held a garden wedding utilizing an outdoor garden at Stage 28 in Godeok-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, on the 17th. It is reported that they prepared the ceremony quietly without prior notice to the public. Despite their busy schedules managing the music for a global hit, their choice to make a meaningful start at a place filled with family memories rather than a flashy public event has drawn attention.

The decision to change the wedding schedule was driven by their busy itineraries following the success of 'KPop Demon Hunters' and their desire to celebrate their Korean roots. Having become engaged in June 2025, the couple postponed wedding preparations for a time to handle long-term promotional tours for the work and award seasons. It is reported that they finalized the wedding approximately four months after deciding to change the location from the United States to Seoul.

Above all, Stage 28 holds special meaning for EJAE. The venue is the site of the former residence of her maternal grandfather, Shin Young-kyun, and is where the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation is located. EJAE is the child of Shin Hye-jin, the Vice Chairman of Seyoung Enterprise and daughter of Shin Young-kyun; she announced this new chapter of her life at a place containing childhood memories of her grandfather. It is also reported that her older brother held his wedding at this same location, making it an even more special space for the family.

Prior to the main ceremony, the couple celebrated their Korean heritage by performing the traditional ceremony of Pyebaek at a fusion Korean restaurant in Seoul. On the 15th, two days before the wedding, they also attended the 16th Beautiful Artist Awards hosted by the Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation, as well as Shin Young-kyun's 100th birthday celebration (Baeksu-yeon). At the gathering to celebrate the longevity of her 99-year-old grandfather, the couple appeared together, reflecting on the meaning of family.

The wedding was held in an outdoor garden with a nature-friendly atmosphere. EJAE wore a custom tulle gown created by designer Danielle Frankel and heirloom jewelry. At the reception held in a greenhouse, the mood shifted as she changed into a dress by Zac Posen and a mini dress by Milla Nova. Samuel Kim styled himself for the different atmospheres of the ceremony and reception, alternating between a double-breasted tuxedo from New York's Bhambi's Custom Tailors and a custom white tuxedo by Zac Posen.

The reception was also customized to reflect the couple's personalities. Speeches were delivered in both Korean and English, accompanied by a live performance by the wedding band After Eight, which the couple selected themselves. An outdoor snack tent was also provided, blending a friendly Korean atmosphere into the formal wedding. After the official reception, they concluded their special day with an after-party in Itaewon with a small group of guests.

The connection between the two began at a music session in May 2017. Meeting first as creative partners, they developed into a couple through musical communion and lived together in Brooklyn, New York, for approximately eight years. As the two, whose relationship was forged through music, reached marriage after sharing creative work and daily life for a long time, this ceremony marked the moment their musical journey turned into a lifelong partnership.

EJAE, a former trainee at SM Entertainment, participated in composing Red Velvet's 'Psycho' and has been credited with major K-pop tracks such as aespa's 'Drama' and 'Armageddon'. As a singer-songwriter, she gained international attention for serving as the lead vocalist for the virtual girl group HUNTR/X and working on the main soundtrack for 'KPop Demon Hunters'. As the music for the work played a crucial role in driving its global success, her name and musical capabilities have garnered international interest.

Samuel Kim works as a producer, composer, and computer programmer. Having met through musical work, the two have opened a new chapter as a married couple after a long relationship while continuing their respective creative activities. Following a busy period due to the success of a global work, the fact that they held their wedding in a Seoul location steeped in EJAE's family history makes this ceremony even more special.

While their glamorous dresses, sophisticated reception, and their careers built in the global music industry draw attention, the greatest significance of this wedding lies in how it captured family memories and Korean roots. EJAE and Samuel Kim, musicians who gained global attention through 'KPop Demon Hunters', have announced a new beginning by turning their long-standing connection into marriage.

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