Lia Kim (Kim Hye-rang, 김혜랑), a leading K-Pop choreographer and dancer, is a prominent figure in the Korean dance scene and the co-founder and chief choreographer of 1MILLION DANCE STUDIO. Inspired by Michael Jackson's dance videos, she entered the dance world and has choreographed and trained dancers for major entertainment companies including SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and Kakao Entertainment, working with numerous well-known artists.
Kim choreographed the 'Any Club' commercial starring Lee Hyo-ri and went on to create iconic dances for popular songs such as TWICE's 'TT,' I.O.I's 'Very Very Very,' MAMAMOO's 'HIP,' 'Dingga,' 'ILLELLA,' and 'AYA,' Hwasa's 'I'm a B' and 'Maria,' and Sunmi's '24 Hours,' 'Full Moon,' and 'Gashina.' Today, she has gained global recognition through 1MILLION DANCE STUDIO.
Beyond her successful career, Kim's personal life has also drawn attention. She has been in a relationship with Yoon Yeo-wook (윤여욱), the CEO of 1MILLION, for 19 years. They are not only partners in life but also in building their business together. Recently, the couple offered rare glimpses into their private lives, and Yoon revealed for the first time why, after nearly two decades, they have not yet married.
The eighth episode of the EBS documentary 'Witness to the Era,' which aired on the 4th, offered a look into Kim's daily life, showcasing her home life with her two beloved dogs and introducing her boyfriend, Yoon, who has been by her side for 19 years.
Yoon is not only Kim's partner but also a crucial collaborator in her career. For years, they have jointly managed 1MILLION, evolving from lovers to business partners working side-by-side, with their relationship and work becoming almost inseparable.
However, the reason they have not married after 19 years of dating was revealed on the show. Yoon recalled that Kim experienced a prolonged career slump in the past, during which she became very anxious about her gradual decline from her peak. He disclosed, "When her most brilliant period passed and she began to enter a downward phase, she became very uneasy." He then admitted that this was one of the reasons they had delayed marriage.
Yoon stated, "I didn't want her to be labeled as an 'ajumma' (auntie); I wanted her to continue her activities as a younger, more beautiful artist." His intention was not to reject marriage but to express concern that a 'married woman' label might hinder her pursuit of her career as a dancer and artist.
Rather than rushing into marriage, Yoon hoped Kim would focus on her dance, maintaining her stage presence and career. They have supported each other as partners ever since.
In fact, Kim once fell into a severe slump during the peak of her dance career. In the 2000s, the street dance scene was still dominated by male dancers, but she made a name for herself on the international stage through Popping and Locking, reaching the ranks of top global dancers within just five or six years of starting to dance.
She recalled thinking, during that time, that she was the strongest after winning first place in both Locking and Popping, but also feared losing it all one day.
Unexpectedly, in 2011, she lost to a teenager in a Popping Battle in China, ending her run in the top 32. This defeat profoundly impacted her.
Kim recalled her feelings at the time: "I was a world champion, how could I lose to him?" She admitted her self-esteem was severely damaged, and she even refused to accept the defeat, falling into thoughts of "wanting to give up dancing" and isolating herself in darkness.
During that period, she often cried, gained significant weight, and fell into a long-term slump. She revealed that this state lasted for seven or eight years, and she only slowly emerged from this low point before establishing 1MILLION.
Throughout these most difficult years, Yoon remained by her side. They not only navigated emotional challenges together but also advanced their careers hand-in-hand, ultimately building the globally renowned 1MILLION DANCE STUDIO.
After 19 years of dating without marrying, Kim and Yoon chose to continue their journey as partners in both life and business. Yoon's rare disclosure of his true considerations for not rushing into marriage reveals the nearly two-decade-long relationship behind Kim's brilliant achievements and the deep bond that saw her through her lowest points.
