Few Korean celebrity couples have drawn as much public attention as Lee Jong-suk and IU. Their relationship, confirmed by both agencies in December 2022, was a rare public romance that lasted about four years before a widely reported split in July 2026. This article separates the confirmed facts from the lingering questions, tracing the timeline from model debut to the breakup that made headlines around the world.

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Born: 14 September 1989 ·
Birthplace: Yongin, South Korea ·
Debut: 2005 (runway model) ·
Known for: Romance Is a Bonus Book (2019), While You Were Sleeping ·
Military service: Completed ·
Public relationship with IU: Confirmed Dec 2022; ended 2026

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • July 10, 2026 – both IU’s and Lee Jong-suk’s agencies officially confirm the breakup (The Korea Times)
  • Reports indicate the couple had been together since late 2022, making it a four-year public relationship (Rappler)
  • Before the split, no public signs of trouble – IU mentioned love positively in April 2026 (Allkpop (K-pop news site))
4What’s next
  • Both stars remain active in their respective entertainment careers (Chosun English)
  • No further statements expected from either agency on the relationship’s details (The Korea Times)
  • Fans and media will watch for new projects from both, now single again (Livemint (Indian financial daily))

The biographical record is clear on the essentials. Six key facts define Lee Jong-suk’s public profile and his relationship timeline.

Category Details
Full Name Lee Jong-suk ( )
Date of Birth 14 September 1989
Age (2026) 36 years old
Height 186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Profession Actor, Model
Notable Relationship IU (2022-2026)
Bottom line: The pattern: the table confirms what the agencies have already stated – Lee Jong-suk’s only confirmed public relationship was with IU.

Are Lee Jong-suk and IU in a relationship?

What was the timeline of their public relationship from 2022 to 2026?

  • Rumors first surfaced in late 2022 when the two were seen together socially. Both agencies initially declined to comment, then in December 2022 confirmed they were dating (Chosun Biz English).
  • The couple kept a relatively low profile but occasionally appeared at the same events. IU referenced love in a positive light as late as April 2026 (Allkpop).
  • On July 10, 2026, The Korea Times reported that both Ace Factory (Lee Jong-suk’s agency) and EDAM Entertainment (IU’s agency) had confirmed the couple had ended their relationship. The split was described as amicable, with both staying as “good colleagues”.

When did their agencies confirm the relationship?

  • The initial confirmation came in December 2022 from both Ace Factory and EDAM Entertainment (Rappler).
  • Lee Jong-suk followed up with a personal fan letter expressing his feelings for IU, asking fans for their support (Chosun English).

The implication: Both agencies have consistently spoken for the couple, making their statements the most authoritative source. When they confirmed the breakup in July 2026, it carried the same weight as the original confirmation.

The upshot

For fans following K-drama stars’ personal lives, the lesson is clear: agency statements are the only reliable anchor. Rumors before the December 2022 confirmation turned out to be correct, but only because the agencies eventually verified them.

Is Lee Jong-suk married?

Does he have a spouse?

  • No. Lee Jong-suk has never been married, and no marriage license or wedding has been reported (The Korea Times).
  • His relationship with IU was his only known serious public partnership, and it ended without marriage (Rappler).

Was he engaged to IU?

  • There is no record of an engagement. Neither agency ever announced or confirmed an engagement (Chosun English).
  • Speculation about a secret marriage remains unsubstantiated – no credible source has reported any wedding plans (Livemint).

Why this matters: In South Korea’s entertainment industry, marriage would be a significant public milestone. The complete absence of even a hint from authoritative outlets strongly confirms he remains single.

How long have IU and Lee Jong-suk been together?

When did they start dating?

  • The relationship reportedly began in late 2022, with both agencies confirming in December 2022 that they were a couple (Chosun Biz English).
  • They had been friends for years before that – a foundation that their agencies cited as contributing to their connection (Rappler).

When did they break up?

  • The breakup was announced on July 10, 2026, meaning they were together for approximately four years of public dating (The Korea Times).
  • Both agencies stated that demanding work schedules played a role, though they did not provide a detailed explanation (Chosun English).

The pattern: Four years is a significant span by K-pop celebrity standards. The agencies’ consistent handling of both the start and end of the relationship suggests a level of cooperation and mutual respect.

Who are some of Lee Jong-suk’s ex-girlfriends?

What is known about his past relationships?

  • His only confirmed ex-girlfriend from a reliable source is IU. No other relationship has been formally acknowledged by him or his agency (Rappler).
  • Rumors linking him to co-stars such as Park Shin-hye (from “Pinocchio”) or Han Hyo-joo (from “W”) have surfaced over the years, but none were ever confirmed (Allkpop).

Who has IU dated previously?

  • IU had a short-lived public relationship with singer Chang Kiha in 2015, which lasted about two years (Chosun Biz English).
  • Aside from that, Lee Jong-suk is her only other confirmed partner. Despite various dating rumors (notably with actor Kim Soo-hyun), no other relationship has been verified (Rappler).

The catch: The public record is thin. Without official confirmation from agencies or the individuals themselves, past romantic links remain speculation. This is typical in an industry where privacy is fiercely guarded.

Is there any truth to the IU and Lee Jong-suk split rumors?

What did the agencies say?

  • Ace Factory (Lee Jong-suk’s agency) confirmed to OSEN that the couple had “ended their relationship” and would “remain good colleagues” (Chosun English).
  • EDAM Entertainment (IU’s agency) issued a matching statement, also describing the pair as “good colleagues” (Chosun English).
  • A July 13, 2026 The Korea Times article confirmed the information was initially reported by Xportsnews and then corroborated by both agencies.

What is the source of the breakup story?

  • The first reports emerged from South Korean media outlet Xportsnews on July 10, 2026, and were quickly picked up by major news organizations (The Korea Times).
  • Agency confirmations followed within hours, lending the story strong credibility (The Korea Times).

The trade-off: While the agencies confirmed the breakup, they declined to provide a detailed reason beyond “demanding schedules.” Fans have to accept that the full story may never be public – a common boundary in celebrity privacy.

What to watch

Both actors now resume their careers as single individuals. Their next project announcements will be the first real indicator of whether they can maintain the “good colleagues” narrative without media friction.

Timeline: Lee Jong-suk’s life and relationship with IU

  • September 1989: Born in Yongin, South Korea (The Korea Times)
  • 2005: Debuts as a runway model (Chosun Biz English)
  • 2005-2010s: Transitions to acting, gains fame in “School 2013” and “I Can Hear Your Voice” (Rappler)
  • Late 2022: Dating rumors with IU begin (Allkpop)
  • December 2022: Both agencies confirm the relationship (Chosun Biz English)
  • July 10, 2026: Agencies confirm breakup after four years of public dating (The Korea Times)

Separating confirmed from unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Lee Jong-suk was born on 14 September 1989 (The Korea Times)
  • He debuted as a model in 2005 (Chosun Biz English)
  • His relationship with IU was confirmed by both agencies in December 2022 (Chosun English)
  • The couple broke up in July 2026, confirmed by both agencies (The Korea Times)

What remains unclear

  • The exact reasons for the breakup are not public (Chosun English)
  • Details of Lee Jong-suk’s relationships before IU are unconfirmed (Rappler)
  • Whether the split was amicable beyond the “good colleagues” statement is unknown (The Korea Times)

Key statements from official sources

Singer-actress IU and actor Lee Jong-suk have ended their relationship after four years of public dating, with both agencies confirming the news.

— The Korea Times (South Korea’s leading English-language daily), July 10, 2026

After the confirmation, Lee Jong-suk wrote a letter to fans, expressing his feelings for IU and asking for their support.

— Chosun English (English news service of Chosun Ilbo), July 12, 2026

In short: Lee Jong-suk’s four-year public relationship with IU is now officially over. Both agencies confirmed the breakup in July 2026, leaving the actor single and turning attention to his next career moves.

Summary

The story of Lee Jong-suk and IU is one of the most closely documented celebrity relationships in recent K-pop history. From the initial confirmation in December 2022 to the breakup confirmed in July 2026, every major milestone has been handled through official agency statements. For fans and media following Korean entertainment, the lesson is clear: when agencies speak, they are the only reliable source. Without their confirmation, rumors remain just that – unverified claims.

The impact: Lee Jong-suk now faces renewed media scrutiny as both a single actor and a public figure whose romantic history will follow him into his next project announcements.

Related reading: Song Joong-ki: His Marriages, Divorce, and Children · Ji Hyun: Jun Ji-hyun vs Park Ji-hyun – Facts, Dramas, Net Worth

Additional sources

koreatimes.co.kr, chosun.com, facebook.com, biz.chosun.com, facebook.com

For a detailed look at their journey from confirmation to breakup, check out Lee Jong-suk and IUs relationship timeline.

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Frequently asked questions

Did Lee Jong-suk serve in the military?

Yes, he completed his mandatory military service in South Korea. He enlisted on March 8, 2019, and was discharged on January 2, 2021 (The Korea Times).

What is IU’s real name?

IU’s real name is Lee Ji-eun ( ). She performs under the stage name IU (Rappler).

How tall is Lee Jong-suk?

Lee Jong-suk is 186 cm (6 feet 1 inch) tall, which is considered very tall even among Korean actors (Chosun Biz English).

What is Lee Jong-suk’s most famous drama?

He is widely known for “While You Were Sleeping” (2017) and “Romance Is a Bonus Book” (2019), both of which earned high ratings and critical acclaim (Allkpop).

When did Lee Jong-suk start acting?

After his model debut in 2005, he transitioned to acting by the early 2010s, landing his first major role in “School 2013” (Rappler).

Are IU and Lee Jong-suk friends now?

Both agencies stated after the breakup that the two would remain “good colleagues,” but no public evidence of friendship after the split has been seen (Chosun English).

What is IU known for besides acting?

IU is one of South Korea’s most successful solo singers, known for hits like “Blueming” and “Eight,” as well as her acting career in dramas such as “Hotel del Luna” and “My Mister” (Livemint).