IU and Lee Jongsuk end four-year romance

South Korean singer-actress IU and actor Lee Jongsuk have ended their relationship after four years together, their respective agencies confirmed on Friday, July 10, 2026. The announcement marks the conclusion of one of the nation's most followed celebrity romances, which began as a decade-long friendship.

Both EDAM Entertainment and ACE FACTORY issued statements confirming the split, adding that the two stars have decided to part ways amicably and will remain supportive colleagues. According to agency representatives, the couple's demanding professional schedules gradually limited their time together, leading to the mutual decision to end their romantic relationship.

The pair first met in 2012 as co-hosts of the SBS music program "Inkigayo." Their on-screen dynamic was initially described as distant, but they developed a lasting friendship after Lee Jongsuk left the show later that year. For nearly a decade, they supported each other's careers as friends, with fans noting public appearances at each other's concerts and events.

Their relationship transitioned from friendship to romance and was publicly confirmed in December 2022. The confirmation followed a report by the outlet...