IU and Lee Jong-suk end four-year romance, stay colleagues
IU and Lee Jong-suk have officially ended their four-year relationship, both agencies confirmed on July 10, 2026. EDAM Entertainment and Ace Factory said the pair will remain good colleagues, closing one of the entertainment industry's most closely watched public romances.
Fans tracking IU and Lee Jong-suk received definitive news Friday when representatives for both stars issued matching breakup statements. The confirmation landed across Korean and international entertainment outlets within hours, making it one of the day's biggest celebrity breaking news stories.
Key Takeaways
- IU and Lee Jong-suk ended a four-year public relationship, both agencies confirmed on July 10, 2026.
- EDAM Entertainment and Ace Factory said the two will remain good colleagues.
- Neither agency gave a detailed breakup reason, citing the actors' private lives.
- The couple met as co-hosts of a K-pop music program in 2012 and went public in 2022.
- Both stars have active careers ahead, including IU's new album and Lee Jong-suk's Disney+ drama.
What did IU and Lee Jong-suk's agencies say?
On July 10, IU's agency EDAM Entertainment and Lee Jong-suk's agency Ace Factory both confirmed the split. According to Soompi, each side stated, "It is true that they broke up," and added that they have decided to remain good colleagues.
Lee Jong-suk's agency told OSEN, as reported by CHOSUNBIZ, that further questions about the reason would go unanswered. "As it is the actor's private life, we find it difficult to answer further," Ace Factory said.
How did IU and Lee Jong-suk's relationship become public?
IU, whose real name is Lee Ji-eun, and Lee Jong-suk met while emceeing a K-pop music program in 2012, according to Yonhap News Agency. They acknowledged their romantic relationship in 2022 after a decade as colleagues.
The romance became widely known after Lee Jong-suk won the grand prize at the 2022 MBC Drama Awards. He referred to "that person" in his speech, and his agency soon confirmed that a close colleague relationship had developed into a serious romance.
Shortly before going public, Lee indirectly addressed IU after winning the MBC Drama Award for his leading role in "Big Mouth." He said, "Thank you for always being there as the wonderful person you are. I want to tell you that I've liked you deeply for a very long time."
What are IU and Lee Jong-suk working on next?
Both stars are moving forward with major projects. Soompi reports that IU is preparing a new album and concert, while Lee Jong-suk is gearing up for the release of his upcoming drama "The Remarried Empress" on Disney+.
CHOSUNBIZ notes that IU recently appeared in MBC's "Perfect Crown." Lee Jong-suk's next screen role keeps him in the spotlight even as his personal life shifts back to a professional footing with his former partner.
Why does this breakup matter to fans?
IU and Lee Jong-suk were among the most prominent publicly dating stars in Korean entertainment. Their 2012 meeting, 2022 confirmation, and amicable agency statements framed a relationship fans followed closely for four years.
The mutual pledge to stay colleagues suggests neither side expects public friction. For now, the story is closed on the romance — and open on what each artist does next.