Inside Ejae and Samuel Kim’s Garden Wedding at Her Grandfather’s Former Home in Seoul
Musical artist Ejae and former producer‑turned‑programmer Samuel Kim first met as collaborators. A mutual friend arranged a songwriting session at Sam’s home studio in May 2017. “We worked on a couple of songs, but mostly, we just connected,” Ejae remembers. “We both loved anime and the same kind of music.” Their partnership stayed professional until a night out to see Sam’s roommate’s band. “Later that night, he confessed his feelings,” the singer says. “We’ve been together ever since.”
For the next eight years the couple built their lives side by side, eventually settling in Brooklyn, New York while their careers progressed. On June 1, 2025 Sam staged a surprise proposal. “I had caught on about a week before,” Ejae adds, “but it was still fun and memorable, and I cried.” To keep the moment hidden, Sam coordinated a fake dinner with Ejae’s best friend, then whisked her to a Brooklyn park where they walked with Honey, her late dog, “going down memory lane.” Turning a corner, they found a picnic set up by friends, complete with photos of the couple and their pet. After a heartfelt speech, Sam asked the question and Ejae said yes.
Shortly after the engagement the film K‑Pop Demon Hunters was released, featuring Ejae as the lead vocalist of the fictional girl group HUNTR/X and on its soundtrack. “Our lives changed completely,” she says. The ensuing press tour and awards circuit forced the couple to pause wedding plans. Initially they aimed for a November 2026 ceremony in California, but after discussion they chose Korea and moved the date up to October 2026, leaving only about four months to organize everything. “It was hectic and a little stressful, but it was real teamwork, and everything fell into place perfectly,” the bride notes.
Holding the celebration in Seoul allowed the pair to weave their heritage into the day. The festivities opened with a Paebaek ceremony and welcome party at Congdu50, a Korean‑fusion restaurant offering sweeping city views. “Not everyone does Paebaek, but we wanted that traditional element in our wedding,” Ejae explains.
On October 17, 2026 the couple exchanged vows at Stage 28, a venue steeped in personal history. “My grandparents lived in the house at the venue when I was a little girl,” she says. “I spent much of my childhood exploring the garden and walking with my grandfather in the hills behind the house.” The property was later purchased and converted into an event space, making it an ideal setting for future family celebrations. Ejae’s brother had also been married there. For their garden ceremony, the décor drew on the greens and earthy tones of the bride’s childhood memories and the surrounding landscape.
The reception took place in the venue’s large glasshouse. Ejae imagined the space filled with soft fabrics and flowing drapes to create an ethereal, surreal atmosphere. “The glasshouse represents my life today—a time when the dreams I worked toward for so long are becoming reality,” she says. “After years of dedication to music, the recognition I am experiencing makes this chapter feel almost like a dream.”
Ejae’s wedding attire reflected that whimsical vision. She enlisted designer Danielle Frankel for a custom gown that captured an ethereal, modern, chic and timeless feel with a twist. The result was a strapless tulle dress with a bubbled hem and a nude chiffon overlay that added airiness. She kept jewelry minimal, opting for heirloom pieces passed down from her grandmother to her mother.
When the celebration moved to the glasshouse, Ejae changed into a body‑skimming chiffon dress by Zac Posen, maintaining the ethereal quality of the ceremony look. Working with Posen held special meaning: he had taken her to her first CFDA Awards in 2025, and their creative partnership has grown since. “Zac perfectly executed the vision I had for the reception dress—wow factor, with a sparkle.” Later in the night she swapped into a shimmering Milla Nova mini for dancing.
Sam also put thought into his attire. After researching bespoke tailoring, he chose Bhambi’s Custom Tailors in New York to craft a fully bespoke double‑breasted tuxedo in Loro Piana fabric. To match the bride at the reception, Posen designed a custom white tuxedo for Sam, which he describes as “a new take on the reception suit, extremely comfortable, fits perfectly, and is elegant.”
The bride admits the week leading up to the wedding was “a bit crazy.” “My wedding team and I spent much of the week before the big day finalizing little details and ensuring everything would run smoothly,” she says. In the end, every element came together for a memorable celebration that honored family history, personal dreams, and a shared future.