Renowned South Korean celebrities, singer-actress IU (Lee Ji-eun) and actor Lee Jong-suk, who famously met as MCs for a K-pop music program in 2012 and publicly confirmed their romantic relationship in 2022, have officially ended their relationship.
“The two have broken up,” an official from Edam Entertainment, IU’s agency, confirmed to a news agency, clarifying the status of their high-profile romance.
Lee Jong-suk’s agency, Ace Factory, also corroborated the separation, stating that the pair has chosen to remain supportive colleagues moving forward.
Their romantic involvement gained significant attention in 2022 when Lee Jong-suk, shortly before confirming their relationship, made an emotional indirect mention of IU during his acceptance speech. This occurred after he won the prestigious MBC Drama Award for his compelling leading role in the thriller drama “Big Mouth.”
During his heartfelt speech, the actor expressed deep affection, saying, “Thank you for always being there as the wonderful person you are. I want to tell you that I’ve liked you deeply for a very long time.”
IU, who made her debut as a singer in 2008, has ascended to become one of South Korea’s most beloved and popular solo female artists. Her impressive discography includes numerous chart-topping hits such as “Good Day” (2010), “Palette” (2017), and “eight” (2020), which famously featured Suga of the global K-pop sensation BTS.
Beyond her successful music career, IU has also established herself as a versatile actress, earning critical acclaim for her roles in hit K-dramas like “My Mister” (2018) and the upcoming series “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (2025).
Lee Jong-suk, whose career began as a model in 2005, transitioned into acting in 2010 and has since become a prominent figure in Korean entertainment. He has starred in a multitude of successful TV dramas and films, including “I Hear Your Voice” (2013), “Doctor Stranger” (2014), and the critically acclaimed movie “The Face Reader” (2013).
