Korean actress Park Se-young (박세영) and actor Kwak Jung-wook (곽정욱) finally married in 2022 after eight years of dating and have since welcomed a daughter. The couple recently appeared on KBS 2TV’s variety show “The Return of Superman” (슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다) with their daughter, sharing their journey from dating to marriage for the first time. Surprisingly, what seemed like a relationship led by Kwak Jung-wook turned out to be one where Park Se-young took the initiative, even boldly declaring, “I’m getting married. Are you going to marry me? If not, I’ll marry someone else!” Her straightforward confession amused the guests and revealed the unexpected story behind their long-term relationship.
Park Se-young and Kwak Jung-wook debuted as the newest family on “The Return of Superman” on October 21, sharing their daily life as a couple and reminiscing about their dating days. Park Se-young revealed that when they first started dating, people around her would ask with concern, “Are you sure about him?” when they learned her boyfriend was Kwak Jung-wook. The reason, she explained, was Kwak Jung-wook’s imposing appearance, which made him seem unapproachable.
However, Kwak Jung-wook laughed and added, “She’s being polite!” He explained that the reactions from friends and family at the time were even more direct, with some even advising Park Se-young, “Why are you dating someone like that? You can’t marry a man like that!” This instantly lightened the mood on set.
Kwak Jung-wook also joked that their true personalities are actually the opposite of their outward impressions. Pointing at his wife, he playfully remarked, “Actually, she’s the real troublemaker!” Park Se-young readily agreed, admitting that their dynamic in the relationship was indeed different from what outsiders might imagine.
The couple first met in 2012 while filming the K-drama “School 2013” (학교 2013), where Park Se-young played a model student and Kwak Jung-wook portrayed a rebellious character. Although they had many scenes together, they weren't close off-screen. Kwak Jung-wook revealed that many people assumed they developed feelings during filming, but in reality, they didn't even exchange phone numbers until after the drama wrapped.
Park Se-young confirmed that they truly didn't have much interaction back then. It was only later, when they frequently met at gatherings with mutual friends, that they gradually became closer. When Kwak Jung-wook was looking for a church group, a mutual friend introduced him to Park Se-young, and he asked for her number. They started attending church together, and their feelings slowly grew, naturally evolving into a romantic relationship.
However, after eight years of dating, with no marriage in sight, Park Se-young was the one who broke the stalemate. Kwak Jung-wook recently accompanied his daughter to his wife’s drama set, where he discussed their marriage with actress Han Go-eun (한고은). Han Go-eun mentioned that young couples who date for a long time don't always end up marrying, and she was curious about how they eventually tied the knot.
Park Se-young’s answer was surprisingly direct. She laughed and said, “I basically grabbed him by the collar and dragged him to the altar!” Her words elicited continuous laughter from everyone present. Kwak Jung-wook then revealed that when his wife decided to get married, she directly told him, “I’m getting married. Are you going to marry me? If you don’t marry me, I’ll go marry someone else.”
Park Se-young explained that Kwak Jung-wook isn't someone who is good at expressing his feelings, so she knew that if she didn't take the initiative, he would likely struggle to make a clear decision. Han Go-eun playfully suggested that Kwak Jung-wook should have at least responded with some romantic words to his wife, but Park Se-young immediately interrupted with a laugh, “He can’t do that kind of thing, he really can’t!” Her blunt remark once again amused everyone.
Although Kwak Jung-wook isn't good with sweet talk and rarely initiates romantic surprises, he eventually married Park Se-young after eight years of dating. The couple officially became husband and wife in 2022 and welcomed their daughter, Na El (나엘). Their story, where the wife took the initiative and boldly pushed for marriage, revealed Park Se-young’s straightforward and decisive personality to many viewers.
