"Instead of a Luxurious Wedding"... Newlyweds Visit Hospital with 5 Million Won

Donation Delivered to Hospital for Vulnerable Groups

A heartwarming story has been shared about a newlywed couple who saved on their wedding expenses and donated the money to a hospital to help neighbors in need.

Kim Seong-hwan, Executive Vice President of Gangdong Seongsim Hospital (left), and the couple Jo Han-sol and Ham Jong-wook. [Image source=Gangdong Seongsim Hospital]

On the 1st, Gangdong Seongsim Hospital announced that on the 31st of last month, the couple Hansol Jo and Jongwook Ham donated 5 million won to help neighbors in need in the local community by saving on their wedding costs. The couple had agreed a year ago to hold a simple wedding ceremony with only close relatives from both families and instead pool the money to donate to the hospital. It was especially reported that the husband, Jongwook Ham, decided to donate to the hospital because of his memories of being treated there as a child. Ham said, "Recalling the warm memories of being treated at Gangdong Seongsim Hospital during my childhood, I wanted to help neighbors in need by making this donation," adding, "I hope that even this small amount can be of help to those in difficulty."

The hospital decided to use the fund to support economically vulnerable child patients and others within the hospital, in accordance with the couple’s wishes. Kim Seonghwan, Executive Vice President of Gangdong Seongsim Hospital, said, "We deeply appreciate the couple’s warm hearts in choosing to care for neighbors in need instead of holding a wedding ceremony," and added, "We will use the donation from Hansol Jo and Jongwook Ham meaningfully for the health of vulnerable groups."

Meanwhile, recently, more people like this couple think it is acceptable to skip the wedding ceremony and use the money elsewhere. According to a '2024 Marriage Perception Survey' conducted by the matchmaking company Gayeon on 500 unmarried men and women, the most selected response regarding wedding ceremonies was "It can be skipped if both partners agree" (37.8%). Following that, 11.4% said "It is not really necessary." The biggest reason why they do not consider weddings essential was revealed to be "I want to spend the money on more necessary things instead of the ceremony" (40.7%).