If Moon Geun Young and Kim Bum thought that being honest about their relationship would diminish the public's interest, they were wrong. And if they thought leaving Korea would allow them to spend some quiet time together, they underestimated their fame.
The couple took a month-long trip to Europe where they might not easily be recognized and they could wander through the streets, holding hands, like any non-celebrity couple. But they were only gone a few days when a passing photographer recognized them in Prague and snapped a picture.
According to a newspaper report, the couple started their vacation in the Czech Republic but they plan to travel throughout Eastern and Western Europe. The only other country they specifically plan to visit is England. They want to travel and explore the sights like any other couple.
But the film and drama stars are not like any other couple. They may not have realized how many kdrama fans there are in Europe before they were snapped in Prague's Wenceslas Square. It happened on their third day in the city as they walked from the city's Havelsa Market. Passers by saw them feeding each other with street vendor food from the market and then consulting a tablet, possibly for directions. Dressed in matching khaki jackets and black sneakers, the couple did not look like stars but they were not ordinary enough to escape detection.
The two actors became close when they worked together on the MBC drama "Goddess of Fire: Jeonji." Members of the production crew noted how protective Kim Bum was of Moon Geun Young even when he was not playing Kim Tae Do, her character's champion and protector. The couple officially began dating last month and decided to be honest about their relationship from the start.
Shortly after they began dating, her agency, Namoo Actors, released a statement saying "Moon Geun Young and Kim Bum grew fond of each other while working on "Goddess of Fire: Jeonji." Kim Bum's agency King Actors confirmed the news.
"She is a very honest person," said the Namoo representative. "That's why she decided to confirm the relationship."
Moon Geun Young is currently considering new dramas. Kim Bum is promoting the Chinese film "Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon." Before Kim Bum appeared in "Goddess of Fire," he was Jo In Sung's best friend in "That Winter The Wind Blows."
Hopefully, the stars will get to enjoy the rest of their vacation without too many intrusions into their privacy. Once they return to Korea, they will again be subject to close scrutiny.
How do you feel about stars being able to have private lives and enjoy dating? Is it something they have to sacrifice for their stardom? Or should people give them some space?
