Ji Ye-eun and Bata. [Instagram]
Ji Ye-eun and Bata. [Instagram]

Actor Ji Ye-eun, 32, and WDBZ dancer Bata (real name Kim Tae-hyun), also 32, will marry in December.

The couple plan to hold their wedding on Dec. 12 at an undisclosed venue in Seoul.

Ji's agency, CP Entertainment, released an official statement Wednesday saying the two "have promised to share their lives together, grounded in deep trust," and asked fans to offer "warm congratulations and support as they stand on the threshold of this new beginning."

Both born in 1994, the two first met as friends at church before their relationship turned romantic. They are said to have dated for about a year — a relatively short courtship, but one that gave them the certainty and affection to commit to marriage.

Their relationship first became public in April.

At the time, both sides acknowledged they were dating, saying the two "had been colleagues who developed warm feelings for each other" and asking the public to "watch over them with a kind eye."

Ji is a devout Christian who has spoken openly on various programs about her faith, saying her mother is a church elder and that she herself served as a Sunday school teacher for middle schoolers.

She has also praised Bata's character, saying, "Not many people these days don't drink or smoke, but Bata quit after finding his faith. He's incredibly kind," and adding that "he's even learning to cook for me."

Bata is also said to have stood by Ji during her battle with thyroid cancer. Ji was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year, briefly stepped back from public activities to focus on treatment, and later returned to broadcasting after her recovery.

Ji made her acting debut in the 2017 web drama "How To" and rose to wider recognition through the Coupang Play variety series "SNL Korea." She currently appears as a regular cast member on SBS's "Running Man."

Bata leads the dance crew WDBZ and works as a dancer and choreographer. He finished as runner-up on the Mnet dance survival program "Street Man Fighter," which aired in 2022.


yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com