Singer IU has broken up, and her "ex-boyfriend" Jang Ki-ha has started a public relationship, creating a curious feeling.
On the 10th, Lee Jong-suk's agency Ace Factory told OSEN, "(Lee Jong-suk and IU) have broken up. They decided to remain good colleagues."
Lee Jong-suk and IU officially acknowledged their relationship in 2022. At the time, Lee Jong-suk, who won the acting award, hinted at the relationship by mentioning "that person," and "that person" was revealed to be IU. At the time, Lee Jong-suk's side said, "From a close collegial relationship, it recently developed into a romantic relationship, and they are continuing a serious relationship. Please give a lot of support so they can continue their beautiful love."
Lee Jong-suk described IU, saying, "We spent a long time as friends and only now has it become like this. I have lived my life diligently, but I think I was always a strange friend who occupied a corner of her heart. If I say this, our fans might understand, but she was a kind of anchor for me. As a friend she would argue with me over directions and life concerns, be someone I could rely on, sometimes like a younger sibling but at times like an older sister, like an adult, and yet a wonderful friend I wanted to protect."
IU also showed affection, saying, "I am in a relationship. For a long time she has kindly supported me, always telling me 'you're great, you're great.' She is a reliable and cute person who sent genuine encouragement."
However, the two people ended their relationship after four years. Amid the sadness of a breakup rather than a marriage, it is significant that at the time IU broke up, her "ex-boyfriend" singer Jang Ki-ha began a public relationship.
Jang Ki-ha acknowledged his relationship with IU in October 2015. At the time, the 11-year age difference drew attention, but they broke up in January 2017.
Jang Ki-ha is currently dating actress Yoon Ga-i, who is 18 years his junior. The two, said to be meeting with good feelings, grew close through shared interests in music and film after appearing on Coupang Play variety show "SNL Korea season 4" in 2023.
Jang Ki-ha acknowledged the public relationship on the 27th of last month, about a week before IU's breakup. It is a bit of a coincidence that the "ex-boyfriend" started a public relationship while the "ex-girlfriend" ended hers, making the timing curiously intertwined and drawing modest attention.
[OSEN]