South Korean singer-actress IU and actor Lee Jong-suk have officially ended their relationship after four years of dating, as confirmed by their respective agencies on Friday.
EDAM Entertainment, which represents IU, and ACE FACTORY, Lee Jong-suk’s agency, announced that the two recently decided to part ways and will remain on good terms as colleagues.
The agencies did not disclose further details regarding the breakup, but multiple Korean media reports cited their demanding schedules as a factor that made it increasingly difficult for the former couple to spend time together.
IU and Lee Jong-suk first met in 2012 while serving as co-hosts of the music program “Inkigayo.” After maintaining a close friendship for years, they confirmed their romantic relationship in December 2022.
Throughout their time together, the pair earned widespread admiration from fans for their unwavering support of each other’s careers while keeping much of their relationship private.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: End of an era: SNSD’s Choi Soo‑young, Jung Kyung-ho part ways after 14 years
Fans’ hearts breaking over split
News of their split quickly spread across social media, with supporters expressing sadness over the end of one of South Korea’s most beloved celebrity relationships.
Many shared heartfelt messages, thanking the former couple for the memories they created and wishing them happiness in their individual journeys.
“10 years of friendship and 4 years together. It hits differently when it ends. Sending love to IU and Lee Jong-suk. Healing is possible,” @pop_dramatique commented on Soompi’s post on X about the news.
“I don’t want to comment on the situation because I’m just an outsider, not someone close to either of them. I respect whatever decisions they make in their lives, whether they stay together or break up, that’s their choice,” @joochocoo added.
Meanwhile, others recalled their public displays of mutual respect and support, describing the breakup as “heartbreaking.”
“The end of the couple we were waiting to get married,” @exolojiy said.
The show goes on
Despite ending their romantic relationship, both IU and Lee Jong-suk are expected to remain active in the entertainment industry.
The confirmation marks the end of a relationship that captivated Korean-drama and Korean-pop fans worldwide, closing a chapter that began with friendship and evolved into one of the industry’s most closely followed romances.
READ NEXT: Maki charms the Indonesian audience in “Lapor Pak!” appearance
John Christopher Aquino 
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
Angelica N. Hall