On the 10th day of July, 2026, news of the breakup of popular stars IU and Lee Jong-suk after 4 years together brought the Korean entertainment industry to its knees. The couple has been a sought-after duo in the Philippines known for maintaining their love affair in secrecy and evading unwarranted attention, so the news was soon hyped on social media as one of the biggest trending topics in Asia.
officially announced both farewell statements, respectively from EDAM Entertainment, the chapter of IU, and ACE FACTORY, Lee Jong-suk’s group. The agencies said they will continue to be supportive colleagues and said they know it was a mutual and respectful separation. The confirmation came after a previous report that their rigorous schedules had started to divide them from each other.
A Friendship That Began on Inkigayo
IU and Lee Jong-suk’s story has been over ten years long. The two first met in 2012 together hosting an SBS popular music show, Inkigao. Even though it wasn’t in the films that they were destined to fall in love, they got to the point where their chemistry on screen could be seen, yet both kept saying that they were just friends during those early days.
Over the years, that friendship evolved into a deeper bond. Although on different lines of work, they were in contact and helped each other behind the scenes. Most of their relationship was kept unknown to the public, where they could develop trust without the watchful eyes of fan clubs in the case of celebrity couples.
The Romance That Captured Heart of Fans
Their romance was confirmed in late 2022, just after Lee Jong-suk gave an emotional and heartfelt acceptance speech at the MBC Drama Awards. Although he didn’t specify IU by name he said thank you to a person who made him into a better human being, leading to many speculations among fans.
They confirmed their romance shortly after both agencies announced their dating relationship. IU and Lee Jong-suk did not make too many appearances together in public, instead, they had docked the marriage of their relationship in the shadows. Such an older style got them respect from the fans, who also appreciated their ability to speak of their careers while secretly encouraging one another’s successes.
Why Did IU and Lee Jong-suk Break Up?
The reason for the breakup was mainly due to their busy professional lives according to news sources from various insiders in the field. However, IU finished the shooting of her hit drama Perfect Crown recently and is also getting ready for her anticipated release of a solo concert at Goyang Stadium in September alongside the release of her new album.
Meanwhile, Lee Jong-suk has been incredibly busy shooting the next upcoming fantasy drama on Disney+ Korea’s most anticipated upcoming film The Remarried Empress. Movie schedules, overseas assignments, and promotional travel led to the reportedly harder and more time consuming the relationship was in the long-distance days.
The agencies never mentioned conflict nor controversy as a reason for separation. Rather, both stressed that the two stars have decided to remain professional partners but go their own ways as an individual.
Fans React with Sadness
Thousands of fans delugeed the social networks with fond memories and with love messages for the couple. For many who have been long-time fans of the Beijing-based musical group, IU and Lee are one of the industry’s most authentic celebrity couples in the Philippines.
What made their relationship special is that not much controversy over it surfaced ever. Fans were happy with the respect they bestowed towards the other, as they usually did, and the announcement was even more emotional for those who have watched them since their days of Inkigayo.
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What’s Next for IU and Lee Jong-suk?
Although their relationship has come to an end, both artists have exciting projects ahead. IU is expected to return to the music scene before the big concert this year, and while that’s the case, Lee Jong-suk will be continuing shooting The Remarried Empress, which will likely be released on Disney+ later this year.
More than a day into the mourning for O’Neal and her agents have reached out a request to fans to keep supporting them as a stand alone figure instead of focusing on the two of them.
FAQs
Why couldn’t IU and Lee Jong-suk get along?
Their agencies and sources report the split was due to the increasing workloads, which made it hard for them to keep up their relationship. Scandals and conflicts between the two were not reported.
When did IU and Lee Jong-suk officially split up?
The split was confirmed officially on 10 July 2026 by both EDAM Entertainment and ACE FACTORY, who have jointly decided that the two be ‘supportive colleagues’.
How many years had IU dated Lee Jong-suk when they separated?
The two were publicly rumored to be dating each other for about four years, but that romance was preceded by years of friendship.
