Singer Kim Jong Kook has officially announced his marriage, sparking widespread speculation about his bride-to-be and dominating headlines in both Korea and China.

On August 18, Kim posted a handwritten letter on his fan café, saying, “I’m getting married. I always thought the day would come when I’d write something like this, but now that it’s here, I feel nervous and emotional. This year marks my 30th debut anniversary, and instead of making an album, I found my other half. Please congratulate us, and I’ll do my best to live well.”

He added that the wedding will be held privately with close family and friends, and thanked fans for their unwavering support throughout his career.

Following the announcement, online speculation surged about the identity of Kim’s fiancée. One claim gaining traction suggests she is a 38-year-old cosmetics company CEO from Los Angeles. In response, Kim’s agency commented cautiously, stating, “We cannot confirm anything beyond what Kim personally revealed in his letter.”

Rumors of a long-term girlfriend in Los Angeles have circulated since 2018, fueled by remarks from Kim’s close friends including actor Cha Tae Hyun, who previously hinted at frequent visits Kim made to the U.S.

The news has also caused a stir in China, where Kim enjoys massive popularity as a cast member of the variety show ‘Running Man’. Chinese outlets such as Sohu, Sina Entertainment, and China.com highlighted the marriage news, while the topic climbed to No.1 on Weibo’s trending searches.

Meanwhile, Kim reportedly mentioned his marriage during a recent recording of SBS’s ‘Running Man’, with the episode set to air later in August.