IU and Lee Jong Suk Break Up: A Look Back at Idol-Actress’ Rumoured Past Relationships
Following the official confirmation of IU and Lee Jong Suk’s split after four years together, media retrospectives are revisiting the singer-actress's dating history, including her high-profile past relationship with musician Jang Ki Ha from 2013 to 2017.
South Korean singer-actress IU and actor Lee Jong Suk have officially ended their relationship after four years of dating, their respective management agencies confirmed on Friday. The high-profile couple, who transitioned from long-time colleagues to a public romantic relationship in late 2022, reportedly drifted apart due to their demanding professional schedules. Representatives for both stars stated that the two have agreed to part ways amicably and will continue to support each other as industry colleagues. It’s Over! IU and Lee Jong Suk END Their 4-Year Relationship; Agencies Confirm Breakup.
IU and Lee Jong Suk Split
The announcement came following joint statements from IU's agency, EDAM Entertainment, and Lee's agency, Ace Factory. According to industry insiders, the decision to separate was mutual, driven by their increasingly busy workloads, which naturally reduced the time they could spend together. The pair first crossed paths in 2012 as co-hosts for the SBS music program Inkigayo. They maintained a close friendship for a decade before confirming their romantic relationship in December 2022.
At the time, Lee drew widespread public attention during his acceptance speech at the MBC Drama Awards, where he expressed deep gratitude to an unnamed individual he had "liked very much for a very long time," who was later revealed to be IU. Following the news of their split, fans and industry observers have looked back at the 33-year-old superstar's past relationships and dating rumours throughout her nearly two-decade career.
2PM's Wooyoung
Early in her career, IU was frequently linked to 2PM member Wooyoung. The two starred together in the hit 2011 teen drama Dream High, where their on-screen chemistry as a couple generated significant fan speculation.
While rumours circulated that the two were dating in real life, both artists consistently denied the reports. In subsequent variety show appearances, they clarified that their relationship was strictly professional and friendly, noting that the rumours had initially made their off-screen interactions somewhat awkward.
Super Junior's Eunhyuk
One of the most heavily scrutinised incidents in IU's career occurred in late 2012, when a photo featuring her and Super Junior's Eunhyuk was accidentally uploaded to her personal Twitter account. The image, which showed the two individuals sitting closely together, sparked intense public speculation regarding their relationship status.
IU and Super Junior Eunhyuk's Viral Photo
At the time, LOEN Entertainment (IU's agency at the time) released a statement clarifying that the photo had been taken during the previous summer when Eunhyuk visited IU while she was unwell. The agency emphasised that the two were close senior and junior colleagues, and denied any romantic involvement.
Chang Ki Ha (Jang Ki Ha)
Unlike her earlier rumoured relationships, IU's involvement with indie singer-songwriter Chang Ki-ha (often spelt Jang Ki Ha) was publicly confirmed. The two began dating in 2013 after meeting on a radio show hosted by Chang, where IU later admitted she had experienced "love at first sight."
The couple successfully maintained a private relationship for two years before local media outlets disclosed it in 2015. Despite an 11-year age gap, they bond over a shared passion for music. However, after nearly four years together, the couple officially announced their breakup in January 2017, with representatives stating they had decided to remain good senior-junior musicians. ‘I Never Regret Leaving Deepika Padukone’: When Muzammil Ibrahim Opened Up About His Relationship With Bollywood Diva and Their Eventual Split (Watch Video).
As one of South Korea's most influential and enduring solo artists, IU's personal life has frequently drawn intense public interest alongside her achievements in music and acting. While her four-year relationship with Lee Jong-suk has come to a close, both stars remain highly active in their careers. Lee is currently preparing for his upcoming screen return in the highly anticipated Disney+ series The Remarried Empress, while IU continues to balance her global music projects and acting endeavours.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2026 03:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).