South Korean entertainment powerhouses IU and Lee Jong Suk have ended their relationship after four years together.
On Friday, IU’s management EDAM Entertainment and Lee’s agency ACE FACTORY issued joint statements confirming the split. Both companies noted that the former couple decided to part ways amicably and will maintain a supportive professional relationship.
The pair first crossed paths in 2012 while co-hosting the music broadcasting programme «Inkigayo». After maintaining a close friendship for a decade, their dynamic eventually evolved into a romance. They publicly confirmed their dating status on New Year’s Eve in 2022 following reports of a shared Christmas holiday trip to Nagoya, Japan.
Individual careers forging ahead
Both stars continue to dominate their respective fields despite the personal transition.
IU, born Lee Ji Eun, remains one of South Korea’s most successful solo musical artists. She recently concluded her expansive «H.E.R.» world tour, which sold out arenas across Asia, Europe and North America.
Beyond the concert stage, she recently wrapped filming for the Netflix historical drama series «Perfect Crown» opposite actor Byun Woo Seok. According to EDAM Entertainment, the singer-songwriter is currently preparing a new studio album and an upcoming concert to reconnect with her domestic fanbase.
Lee is equally busy gearing up for his next major acting project. He is set to star in «The Remarried Empress», a highly anticipated television adaptation of a famous web novel. This marks his return to the small screen following his critically acclaimed turn in the 2022 legal thriller «Big Mouth».
That performance earned him the prestigious Grand Prize at the MBC Drama Awards, reaffirming his position as a leading man in the Korean television industry. Outside of filming, Lee recently completed an extensive international fan meeting tour to celebrate his career milestones with global supporters.
