Lee Chun Hee and Jun Hye Jin met on the set of the 2009 kdrama "Smile," but it wasn't until the drama ended and he met her again that he realized just how attractive his co-star was.
"When I met up with her after the drama was over, I got to know a completely different side of her," said Lee Chun Hee. "I always thought she was pretty but I think it was then that I realized that she was really pretty."
In the comedy "Smile," they played a couple that slowly developed feelings for each other and fell in love. That's what happened in real life, despite their age difference.
He was 30 and she was only 21 when they filmed the drama, but the nine-year age gap never caused any problems in their relationship.
"We've never felt the age difference," said Lee Chun Hee, who appeared in "Beautiful," "Gloria" and recently played the curious restaurant owner "Master" in "Dating Agency Cyrano." He is also known for his appearances on the SBS variety show "Family Outing."
He proposed to her with a song. He began to serenade her on the show "One Night of TV Entertainment," but the minute his eyes met hers, he forgot the lyrics. He took out the ring he had in his pocket and proposed on the spot. She accepted.
They married in March 2011 at Seoul's Grand Walkerhill Hotel. Actor Gong Yoo, Lee's best friend, was the emcee at their wedding. The couple honeymooned in Hawaii and their daughter was born on July 30, 2011.
Jun Hye Jin, whose acting resume includes the dramas "Ruler of Your Own World," "Family's Honor" and "One Million Roses" and the films, "Shadows in the Palace" and "Family Matters" has not added many acting credits to that resume since her wedding. She has stayed home with the couple's daughter.
However, the couple is currently serving as promotional ambassadors in UNICEF's 11th International Peace Marathon. The profits for the event are donated to UNICEF, the United Nations organization that benefits children.
As parents they say are aware of the need to help children around the world.
"We forget to be grateful of the things we have until we see these children suffering from poverty and starving," said Lee Chun Hee and Jun Hye Jin in a statement. "It's a small thing we are doing but we hope these children don't lose their dreams."
