If you ever needed proof that reality TV love can actually be real, here it is. Lee Ju Hwi and Ko Min Young — the fan-favourite final couple from the Korean dating reality show EXchange Season 1 — have just announced their engagement, and the story behind it is nothing short of cinematic.
After first meeting on the show back in 2021, briefly breaking up, reuniting, and then quietly building a life together for five years, Lee Ju Hwi got down on one knee in the middle of a freezing New York winter — and Ko Min Young said yes.
Table of Contents
Lee Ju Hwi & Ko Min Young — Relationship Timeline at a Glance
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| First Met | EXchange Season 1 (2021) |
| Broke Up & Reconciled | During/after the show |
| Total Dating Period | ~5 years |
| Proposal Location | New York, USA |
| Engagement Announced | February 20, 2026 |
| Wedding Date | December 5, 2026 |
| Ko Min Young’s Profession | English teacher & YouTuber (~300K subscribers) |
The Proposal That Made Everyone Cry
Ko Min Young shared the whole beautiful moment on her Instagram on February 20, 2026. She wrote that as she turned thirty, the two traveled to a wintry New York City — and that’s where Lee Ju Hwi, with tearful eyes and shaking hands, got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. It was, by her own account, the first time she had ever seen him cry.
She described their five years together with remarkable honesty — the first two full of puppy love, the middle two wrestling with how different they were as people, and the final year arriving at something deeper: a wordless care and certainty about the future. It wasn’t a perfect story, but it was a true one.
The full proposal video was also uploaded to her YouTube channel, where fans reacted with an outpouring of love. The couple plans to tie the knot on December 5, 2026.
For context on how EXchange pioneered the Korean dating reality format, check out the EXchange Wikipedia page — it’s one of Korea’s most beloved reality franchises with multiple seasons running since 2021.
The EXchange Effect — Where Real Couples Come From
The show, directed by Lee Jin Ju and aired on Kakao TV, has a remarkable track record of producing real-life couples who stay together long after the cameras stop rolling. Lee Ju Hwi and Ko Min Young are now its most high-profile success story yet.
Also read: Best Korean Reality Shows to Watch in 2026 — Complete OTT Guide
Also read: Top K-Drama & K-Reality Couples Who Found Love On Screen — 2026 Edition
FAQs
Q1. When and where did Lee Ju Hwi propose to Ko Min Young?
Lee Ju Hwi proposed to Ko Min Young during a winter trip to New York City in early 2026, right as she turned thirty — and she announced the happy news on February 20, 2026 via Instagram.
Q2. When is Lee Ju Hwi and Ko Min Young’s wedding date?
The couple has confirmed they will get married on December 5, 2026, after dating for approximately 5 years following their first meeting on EXchange Season 1 in 2021.
