One of the most stable and admired long-term couples in South Korea’s entertainment industry have confirmed their separation in a development that has resonated widely across the industry’s landscape.
Actor Jung Kyung‑ho and singer‑turned‑actress Choi Soo‑young have ended a 14‑year romance, drawing attention to the unique place they held in a field where public relationships are often brief and closely guarded.
Amicable split confirmed by both sides
The news was officially confirmed on Tuesday through statements released by both stars’ respective management teams.
Saram Entertainment, representing Choi, confirmed the split while emphasising the amicable nature of the parting.
“It is true that they have broken up. They have decided to remain good colleagues,” the agency stated, as quoted in a report by Soompi.
Jung’s representatives also released a brief note acknowledging that the pair had recently gone their separate ways, echoing the sentiment that they will maintain a cordial professional relationship moving forward.
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A love story that began in private
Their story began more than a decade ago, when the two first met at a church gathering in 2012.
For the first two years, they kept their connection private, navigating the challenges of fame by choosing discretion over public attention.
It was not until 2014 that they formally confirmed their relationship to the public.
Over the years, they grew into something of a rarity in Korean show business.
They earned widespread affection not through grand public gestures, but through quiet, consistent support for one another.
Jung and Choi spoke warmly of each other during television appearances, shared lighthearted anecdotes on variety shows, and frequently sent coffee or snack trucks to each other’s filming locations as gestures of encouragement.
Their ability to sustain a bond in the spotlight while safeguarding their privacy made them a beloved example of stability in an industry often marked by rapid change and intense scrutiny.
Two distinguished careers built side by side
Both have carved out impressive professional paths in their own right.
Choi first rose to prominence in 2007 as a core member of Girls’ Generation or SNSD, one of K‑pop’s most influential groups, before successfully transitioning into acting and earning acclaim for her performances across genres.
Jung, meanwhile, established himself as a respected leading man, known for his roles in critically praised and commercially successful television productions.
In the wake of the announcement, representatives confirmed that both stars are now turning their full focus to their professional commitments, with packed acting schedules ahead.
Fans react to the end of a beloved partnership
The news has prompted an outpouring of reaction from fans around the world, many of whom had followed their journey from the earliest dating rumours, through confirmation, and over the many years that followed.
Unlike many high‑profile breakups, this one carries a particular weight for supporters, who had long admired the couple for their restraint and consistency.
One fan summed up the sentiment shared by many on social media:
“Not me thinking this was marriage news at first glance… only for it to be a breakup. Love isn’t real.”
Even so, both agencies have stressed that despite the end of their romantic chapter, there is no animosity between the two.
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