Fresh off the success of Netflix’s “Queen of Tears,” actor Moon Tae-yu surprised fans with a wedding announcement that quickly became a trending topic. His marriage to a non-celebrity girlfriend highlighted the balance between his growing fame and his grounded private life.
Actor Moon Tae-yu, best known for his role in the hit Netflix drama “Queen of Tears,” surprised fans by marrying his longtime girlfriend just months after the show’s success.
Born on February 8, 1984, Moon Tae-yu became a familiar face on Korean television in 2020. His breakout role came in “Hospital Playlist,” where he played Yong Seok-min across 23 episodes from 2020 to 2021.
In 2022, he was on “Forecasting Love and Weather” for 16 episodes, and starred as So Kyung-pil in “The Interest of Love” that same year.
Rising Fame in “Queen of Tears”
In 2024, Moon Tae-yu rose to international fame through the Netflix series “Queen of Tears,” starring alongside Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won. He played Kim Yang-gi, the trusted friend and fellow lawyer of Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun).
Speaking about working with one of South Korea’s highest-paid actors, Moon Tae-yu admitted the challenge, saying, “I think I met my partner very well. Everyone was praising me, but as expected, it was difficult on set.”
He praised Kim Soo-hyun for his professionalism, noting that the lead actor never showed “his dark side or sensitive side.”
Outside of the set, however, Kim Soo-hyun found himself embroiled in controversy following the tragic death of actress Kim Sae-ron. The latter, who died by suicide, was reported to have been romantically linked to the star — allegedly from a time when she was underage.
Speculation over their relationship first flared in 2024 during the peak of “Queen of Tears,” after Kim Sae-ron briefly posted, then deleted, a photo with Kim Soo-hyun. Gold Medalist, the agency that once managed Kim Sae-ron and is co-owned by Kim Soo-hyun, denied the rumors.
But following her passing, an undelivered letter surfaced in which Kim Sae-ron described him as her “first and last love,” referencing what she claimed was a relationship that lasted five to six years.
In the letter, she explained her attempts to contact Kim Soo-hyun about a debt she owed the agency, which demanded 700 million won (approximately US$520,000) in damages tied to her drunk-driving case. Her family said the financial pressure contributed to her distress.
After initially denying involvement, Kim Soo-hyun later acknowledged their relationship but stressed that it began only after she became a legal adult.
“It is also not true that the deceased made a tragic choice because of my avoidance (of her), or because my agency pressured her about debt,” an emotional Kim Soo-hyun stated during a press conference on March 31, 2025. He further clarified that their relationship lasted from summer 2019 to autumn 2020.
Kim Soo-hyun’s agency has since taken legal action against Kim Sae-ron’s family and HoverLab, with both sides disputing the allegations.
The drama “Queen of Tears” centers on Baek Hyun-woo, a lawyer from humble beginnings, and Hong Hae-in, the heiress and CEO of Queens Department Store. Their whirlwind romance begins at the office, where Hyun-woo initially has no idea that Hae-in is part of the powerful Queens Conglomerate family.
Their marriage, however, begins to crumble after Hae-in suffers a miscarriage, pushing Hyun-woo toward divorce. Just as he makes this decision, he learns that she has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
As the couple navigates heartbreak, betrayal, and reconciliation, Kim Yang-gi — Moon Tae-yu’s character — remains Hyun-woo’s loyal friend and confidant. Ultimately, their bond helps carry Hyun-woo and Hae-in through their struggles, leading to a happy ending.
Marriage Announcement During Drama’s Peak
Amid the drama’s massive popularity, Moon Tae-yu shared personal news with fans. “I have met a friend with whom I will share love and support for the rest of my life, and we are getting married on [October] 9,” he wrote through his fan café.
The actor revealed that his fiancée was not part of the entertainment industry but had been a strong source of support “despite his sensitivity and anxiety.”
Expressing his love, Moon Tae-yu added, “Like the line in my favorite song, ‘It Can’t Get Any Better,’ she made me want to be a better person. I really wanted to tell our Youngwon family this news first!”
Life After Marriage
Even after his wedding, Moon Tae-yu promised to remain dedicated to his craft. “I have received so much love that I can never repay in a lifetime. I will strive to show you even better acting and singing without cutting corners,” he told fans.
Since then, the actor has kept a low profile, as he does not maintain an official social media account. However, he returned to the screen in 2025 with a cameo in “Resident Playbook,” reprising his role from “Hospital Playlist” for one episode.
As Moon Tae-yu nears his first wedding anniversary, fans remain eager to see what’s next from the “Queen of Tears” and “Hospital Playlist” star. True to his promise of continuing to deliver stellar performances, he has already made his return with a cameo in “Resident Playbook” — a hint that more exciting projects are ahead for the beloved actor.
