K-Drama Power Couple Splits
IU and Lee Jong Suk Officially End Four-Year Relationship, Agencies Confirm Split
Key Points
They first met in 2012 when they co-hosted SBS's Inkigayo, remaining colleagues for about a decade before publicly dating in December 2022.
Lee Jong Suk publicly supported IU by attending her solo concert, highlighting ongoing professional support during their four-year relationship.
IU likewise showed support for Lee Jong Suk by attending the wedding of his younger sister in October 2022 and performing a congratulatory song.
Philanthropy figures prominently in their public eye: IU donated 200 million won on December 31 last year to support single mothers, child protection, the hearing-impaired, and youth welfare, while Lee Jong Suk donated 100 million won on December 30 last year to medical support programs and hospital development funds.
The breakup was reported as an exclusive by Dispatch, with both agencies later confirming the split and noting they will remain good colleagues.
IU and Lee Jong Suk have officially broken up after four years together, with both of their agencies confirming the split on July 10, 2026. Soompi reported the news first broke as an exclusive from Dispatch, with EDAM Entertainment and ACE Factory each confirming the separation and saying the two will remain good colleagues.
The couple had gone public with their relationship in December 2022, though they kept most of their romance private. Philstar Life noted both sides declined to share further details beyond the joint confirmation.
A Decade of Friendship Before Romance Went Public
IU and Lee Jong Suk did not start as strangers. They first met in 2012 when they co-hosted SBS's music show Inkigayo. For nearly a decade, they stayed colleagues. Then in December 2022, they confirmed they were dating, according to ZAPZEE.
Their relationship stayed largely out of the spotlight. But a few key moments showed their bond. IU attended the wedding of Lee Jong Suk's younger sister in October 2022 and performed a congratulatory song — a gesture that came even before they went public as a couple.
Public Shows of Support Throughout Their Four-Year Run
Despite keeping things private, the couple showed up for each other publicly. Lee Jong Suk attended IU's solo concert, cheering her on in person. IU returned the support at his family's events. When In Manila described their public presence as low-key but meaningful.
Their shared generosity also stood out. IU donated 200 million won on December 31 last year. Her giving went to single mothers, child protection, hearing-impaired communities, and youth welfare. Lee Jong Suk donated 100 million won on December 30 to medical support programs and hospital development funds.
Both Stars Moving Forward With Major Projects
The split does not appear to be slowing either star down. Soompi reported that IU is preparing a new album and an upcoming concert. Fans can expect her back in the spotlight soon.
Lee Jong Suk is also staying busy. He is set to appear in The Remarried Empress, a new series coming to Disney+. Both agencies stressed that the two remain on good terms and will continue as professional colleagues.
Agencies Confirm Split, Ask for Privacy
Philstar Life reported that EDAM Entertainment and ACE Factory issued a joint statement confirming the breakup. The statement was brief. Both sides said IU and Lee Jong Suk ended the relationship on good terms. Neither agency gave a reason for the split.
The confirmations came after Dispatch, a South Korean outlet known for celebrity scoops, broke the story first. ZAPZEE noted that the agencies did not offer any additional comment beyond confirming the separation and wishing both stars well going forward.
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