Kim Woo Bin: Relationship, Cancer, and Career – Full Biography
Few stories in Korean entertainment mix heartbreak and hope as neatly as Kim Woo Bin’s—a model turned leading man who was on top of the world in 2016 when a cancer diagnosis pulled him off screen for years, while his relationship with actress Shin Min-ah quietly grew stronger in the background. This article pulls together the verified facts—his 2017 nasopharyngeal carcinoma battle, his 2025 return with a Netflix series, and the recent marriage rumors that finally became reality—so you don’t have to wade through gossip.
Born: July 16, 1989 ·
Height: 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) ·
Occupation: Actor, Model ·
Relationship: Shin Min-ah (since 2015) ·
Cancer Diagnosis: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (2017) ·
Notable Works: The Heirs, Uncontrollably Fond, Alienoid
Quick snapshot
- Dating since 2015 (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet))
- Marriage rumors in 2024 (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet))
- Public support at events (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet))
- Diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2017 (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet))
- Treatment and recovery (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet))
- Return to acting in 2022 (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet))
- Began as model in 2011 (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Breakthrough in The Heirs (2013) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Lead in Uncontrollably Fond (2016) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Starred in Alienoid film series (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
- Height 188 cm
- Catholic faith
- Birthday July 16, 1989
Seven key facts in one glance:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Woo Bin ( ) |
| Date of Birth | July 16, 1989 |
| Place of Birth | Seoul, South Korea |
| Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) |
| Occupation | Actor, Model |
| Partner | Shin Min-ah (2015–present) |
| Cancer Diagnosis | Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (2017) |
Are Shin Min Ah and Kim Woo Bin still together?
Their relationship timeline
- The couple began dating in 2015 after meeting on set of a commercial shoot. Their agencies confirmed the relationship in July 2015 (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet)).
- Throughout Woo Bin’s cancer treatment from 2017–2019, Shin Min-ah stayed by his side, quietly supporting him—details only known through occasional friend accounts.
Wedding rumors and speculation
- In November 2025, the couple publicly announced plans to marry in December after a decade together (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet)).
- Agency AM Entertainment stated the decision was based on “deep trust built through their long relationship” (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet)).
- According to the Times of India (international lifestyle media), the wedding took place on December 20, 2025, in a private ceremony with family and close friends.
The marriage marks a rare case of a top K-drama couple staying together through a career-threatening illness. For fans, it validates that the relationship was never a PR stunt.
The implication: a decade of private loyalty became public proof that their bond outlasted the industry’s usual relationship timelines.
What happened to Kim Woo Bin?
Cancer diagnosis in 2017
In May 2017, Kim Woo Bin was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma—a type of head and neck cancer. His agency promptly announced he would halt all activities for treatment (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet)). A 2024 interview with Hindustan Times (Indian entertainment outlet) quoted him saying he was told he had “only six months to live.”
Treatment and hiatus
- From 2017 to 2019, Woo Bin underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. He stayed out of the public eye, with only occasional updates from his agency.
Return to acting in 2022
- After a five-year hiatus, he returned to the big screen with the sci-fi blockbuster Alienoid (2022) and its sequel Alienoid: Return to the Future (2024) (Hindustan Times (Indian entertainment outlet)).
Kim Woo Bin’s return is not just a career move—it’s a medical victory. Nasopharyngeal cancer has a five-year survival rate of about 80% when caught early, but his case was serious enough to threaten his life.
The pattern: his agency’s decision to prioritize health over production schedules allowed a comeback that few actors manage after a multi-year cancer hiatus.
Is Kim Woo Bin Catholic?
His religious background
Kim Woo Bin is a practicing Catholic. He was baptized as a child and has occasionally mentioned his faith in interviews. In a 2025 fan meeting called Woobin’s Diary, he reportedly referenced his faith when thanking fans for their prayers during his illness (Chosun Biz English (Korean business/entertainment news)).
What is Kim Woo Bin’s height?
How his height influenced his modeling career
- Standing at 188 cm (6 ft 2 in), he began his entertainment career as a runway model in 2011, walking for major Korean designers before transitioning to acting.
What this means: his height gave him a distinctive silhouette that modeling agencies valued, and that physical presence carried over into his acting roles.
What are Kim Woo Bin’s most notable dramas and movies?
Breakthrough roles
- His breakout came in 2013 with The Heirs, where he played the second lead Choi Young-do—a role that turned him into a household name in Korea and across Asia (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
- In 2016, he starred opposite Bae Suzy in the melodrama Uncontrollably Fond, which became a streaming favourite.
Recent projects
- After his recovery, he joined the Alienoid franchise (2022, 2024), directed by Choi Dong-hoon.
- In 2025, he returned to television with the Netflix fantasy romance series Genie, Make a Wish, where he played the lead character Genie (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet)). The series was released globally on October 3, 2025 (IMDb News (film database news)).
The catch: while his pre-cancer filmography leaned toward melodrama and teen sagas, his post-recovery choices signal a shift toward fantasy and sci-fi that matches his matured profile.
When was Kim Woo Bin diagnosed?
Announcement and public reaction
His agency announced the diagnosis in May 2017, stating that he began immediate treatment. The news shocked fans and colleagues; many fellow actors paused promotions to send support.
Timeline
- : Born in Seoul, South Korea
- : Began modeling career on runway
- : Acting debut in drama Myung-wol the Spy
- : Starred in The Heirs, gaining widespread recognition
- : Began relationship with actress Shin Min-ah
- : Lead role in Uncontrollably Fond
- : Diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet))
- : Underwent treatment and hiatus from acting
- : Returned to acting with film Alienoid Part 1
- : Marriage rumors with Shin Min-ah circulated
- : Marriage announcement (Chosun English (K-pop news outlet))
- : Wedding reportedly took place (Times of India (international lifestyle media))
Wedding dates from different sources don’t perfectly align: Chosun reported a December 2025 plan, while Times of India cited December 20 as the actual date without agency confirmation.
The implication: readers should treat the exact wedding date as unconfirmed until AM Entertainment issues a formal statement.
Clarity breakdown
Confirmed facts
- Born July 16, 1989
- Height 188 cm
- Dating Shin Min-ah since 2015
- Diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in 2017
What’s unclear
- Exact wedding date or whether legally married (conflicting reports)
- Details of his cancer treatment regimen
- Whether he and Shin Min-ah have children
- His net worth — no verified public figure
- Return to acting in 2022 with Alienoid (sourced from Hindustan Times, medium confidence)
- Starred in Genie, Make a Wish (2025) (sourced from Wikipedia, tier3)
- Marriage plans announced in November 2025 (conflicting source reports)
“I am truly grateful for the support that made it possible for me to return to the stage.”
— Kim Woo Bin, Woobin’s Diary fan meeting, 2025 (Chosun Biz English (Korean business/entertainment news))
“Our relationship has always been built on quiet support and understanding.”
— Shin Min-ah, in a 2024 interview (paraphrased from multiple outlets)
For Korean viewers who watched Kim Woo Bin grow from a runway model to a star, and then nearly lose everything to cancer, the 2025 wedding is more than a celebrity event—it’s a closure to a narrative arc they’ve been invested in for over a decade. For international fans, it confirms that steady, private partnerships can survive Hollywood-style pressures. Kim Woo Bin’s story now stands as a case study in how public resilience paired with private loyalty can rebuild a career, a lesson the Korean entertainment industry can measure in both audience trust and box-office returns.
Related reading: Vicky Kaushal: Biography, Age, Wife, Net Worth & Career Facts · Tyler James Williams: Crohn’s Battle and Career Comeback
en.wikipedia.org, instagram.com, oncodaily.com, youtube.com, gulfnews.com, asianwiki.com, chosun.com
Fans have closely followed Kim Woo Bins cancer battle and comeback since his diagnosis in 2017.
Frequently asked questions
Did Kim Woo Bin and Shin Min Ah get married?
Yes, they reportedly married on December 20, 2025, in a private ceremony in Seoul (Times of India (international lifestyle media)). Their agency had announced plans the month prior.
Is Kim Woo Bin still acting?
Yes. He returned in 2022 with Alienoid and starred in the Netflix series Genie, Make a Wish in 2025.
What type of cancer did Kim Woo Bin have?
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a cancer of the nasopharynx (the upper part of the throat behind the nose).
How tall is Kim Woo Bin?
188 cm (6 ft 2 in).
What is Kim Woo Bin’s net worth?
No verified figure exists. Estimates from unofficial sources range from $5–10 million, but these are not confirmed.
When did Kim Woo Bin start dating Shin Min Ah?
Their relationship became public in July 2015, but they had been dating for several months prior.
Does Kim Woo Bin have Instagram?
He does not have a public personal Instagram account. His official news comes through his agency AM Entertainment.
What is Kim Woo Bin’s next project?
He is reportedly in talks for a Korean drama adaptation of a popular webtoon, though no formal announcement has been made as of early 2026.
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