Kim Na-ra (김나라), winner of the tvN fashion creator survival program “Kill It: Style Creator Battle,” recently married her same-sex partner, Yoo Lim (유림), after eight years of dating. The wedding not only broke from traditional forms but also saw the warm reactions of both sets of parents become an unexpected focal point, moving Kim Na-ra to tears when she recalled the moment.
BBC Korea released an exclusive interview with Kim Na-ra on its official social media on December 12. She revealed that she and Yoo Lim held their wedding on December 1 in a rice field in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, a revelation that has since attracted considerable attention.
When asked why they chose such a departure from typical weddings, Kim Na-ra explained that she had previously encountered discriminatory comments online, such as “Minorities should hide in the shadows; why do they keep coming out? I don’t want to see them.” She hoped to use the wedding to showcase a “beauty that no one can deny,” allowing positive energy to overshadow negative voices.
She admitted that since same-sex marriage is not yet legally recognized in Korea, the wedding was more of a personal declaration and performance for the couple. “Since we didn’t need to follow a typical wedding format, we wanted to make it like a fashion show,” she said.
Consequently, their wedding was not held in a conventional banquet hall but directly in a harvested rice field. The venue was decorated with straw and fresh flowers, featuring long banquet tables. Traditional Korean farmers' music performances and lion mask dances were also incorporated, creating an atmosphere that was both romantic and rich in traditional culture.
Although it rained and heavy fog enveloped the site on the wedding day, the rain stopped just as the main ceremony began, lasting for about an hour. The mountain mist formed a natural backdrop, making the entire wedding feel like a dream scene from a movie.
The most touching aspect, however, was the reaction of both sets of parents. Kim Na-ra revealed that while traditional weddings typically involve the bride walking down the aisle with her father, they chose to have both sets of parents stand on either side, with each partner walking in hand-in-hand with their respective parents.
Even more heartwarming, her parents had asked her, “Should we call them son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or what?” Kim Na-ra laughed and replied, “Whatever you like.” To her surprise, her parents then said, “Let’s just consider it as having another daughter.” Recalling her parents’ words, Kim Na-ra’s eyes welled up, and a tear fell, deeply moving everyone present.
At the wedding, Yoo Lim’s father personally delivered a speech, offering blessings for their eight-year relationship. He admitted that he initially questioned why they chose to marry in an empty rice field. However, seeing the wedding venue before him, he had a different feeling, describing it as “not an empty place, but a place left after everything has been completed.”
He further likened their relationship to the four seasons of a rice field: “Sowing in spring, enduring summer, and harvesting in autumn. Na-ra and Yoo Lim’s eight-year relationship is just like that.” His words connected their enduring love to the harvested rice field, becoming one of the most memorable blessings of the wedding.
Regarding the current lack of legal marriage protection for same-sex partners in Korea, Kim Na-ra candidly shared her thoughts. She stated that even if they were to apply for marriage registration, they would likely only receive a “notice of non-acceptance.” However, she emphasized that they would not wait for the world to permit their love. “We are not going to ask for anyone’s permission to bless our love; nor are we going to wait until the day this world accepts us.”
Kim Na-ra, a stylist and fashion influencer, competed in tvN’s “Kill It: Style Creator Battle,” which aired in July this year, and ultimately won the championship.
In her acceptance speech, she introduced her girlfriend as her “coolest partner and manager” and publicly revealed their plans to marry. Now, after eight years, Yoo Lim has finally entered into marriage with Kim Na-ra, completing their wedding with the blessings of both families and friends, bringing renewed attention to their love story.
