'Culinary Class Wars' chef Kim Do-yun reveals four-year relationship with actor Kim Seo-yeon
In a YouTube video, the Michelin-starred chef revealed that the two had been dating for four years but that he intentionally kept the relationship off social media.
Chef Kim Do-yun, left, and actor Kim Seo-yeon are seen in a video uploaded to the YouTube channel Studio Slam, titled “You asked me out in my DMs, but why won't you tag me?" (translated) on July 30.SCREEN CAPTURE
“Culinary Class Wars” (2024–) chef Kim Do-yun revealed that he has been dating actor Kim Seo-yeon for four years in a YouTube video last week.
Kim Seo-yeon, who appeared as a re-enactment actor on Channel A's relationship talk show “Doomed Marriage” (2020-22), was featured as a guest in the video. She has been acting since childhood and previously portrayed Queen Jeongan in the KBS' historical drama “The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won” (2021-22).
Kim Seo-yeon shared a concern about her boyfriend's social media habits, which was later unveiled to be chef Kim Do-yun. The chef appeared in Seasons 1 and 2 of the Netflix cooking competition series “Culinary Class Wars.” He is also the owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant YUN in Gangnam District, southern Seoul.
“I've been dating my boyfriend for four years,” she said. “One year, I posted a photo of his birthday cake, tagged his account and wished him a happy birthday. But he never shared my story. He completely hid my existence online. He reposts other people's stories that tag him, but never mine.”
She said she confronted him about it.
“I asked, ‘Why didn't you share my story?’ and he just said, ‘Why does that matter?’ Then he ended the conversation,” she said.
When staff members commented that her boyfriend “must be handsome,” Kim Seo-yeon replied, “He's charming.” Kim Do-yun then appeared on set.
Kim Do-yun explained that he intentionally kept their relationship off social media because he was worried about the attention it could bring.
“I was concerned that if I suddenly became the center of attention, she could get dragged into it as well,” he said. “If only one of us receives malicious comments, that's one thing. But if both of us get attacked, it could be much worse.”
Chef Kim Do-yun, left, and actor Kim Seo-yeon are seen in a recent video uploaded to the YouTube channel Studio Slam, titled “You asked me out in my DMs, but why won't you tag me?" (translated) on July 30.SCREEN CAPTURE
The couple also recalled how they first met.
Kim Seo-yeon said they met at a post-performance gathering after a play.
“My first impression of him was that he looked very intense,” she said. “He had his long hair down to his waist back then. He had a much rougher, rawer vibe.”
She also revealed how their relationship began.
“He sent me a DM asking, ‘Do you want to go eat samgyeopsal [pork belly]?’” she said.
Kim Do-yun shared that Kim Seo-yeon had encouraged him to join the Netflix cooking competition show.
“My girlfriend told me to go on ‘Culinary Class Wars,’” Kim Do-yun said. “She even told me we'd break up if I didn't.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
