K-pop and K-drama enthusiasts are stunned following Lee Jong-suk’s emotional revelation that he has secretly loved IU for more than a decade. What began as a teenage co-hosting stint on SBS’s Inkigayo in 2012 became one of Korea’s best-kept celebrity romances. I feel I was always hers,” Jong-suk revealed, sparking a social media frenzy and propelling #LeeJongSukIU to trend worldwide. Their innocent stage charm has now been seen to be the preface to an actual fairytale romance.
Slowly and quietly, their love developed backstage. Past Inkigayo crew remember Jong-suk himself asking to co-host with IU, and insiders say the two would stay behind after shoots, exchanging playlists and jokes. From IU’s music and Jong-suk’s under-the-radar interviews, fans are now connecting elusive hints – from her ethereal ballads to his sweet references. Even after almost a decade in the public eye, no big tabloids found out about their encounters, fueling the myth of their relationship.
Their chronology is dotted with subtle enchantment. IU accompanied Jong-suk during his military service and even helped inspire some of his fan letters. Jong-suk, for his part, silently guarded IU’s privacy – never ever validating gossip until his tearful 2022 Daesang speech mention of “Jieun-ah” in a veiled expression of gratitude. Matching accessories, covert hideaways, and handwritten notes are all clues suggesting a romance grounded in sincerity and secrecy. This is no a whirlwind celebrity romance – this is the real, long-lasting stuff K-drama fantasies are crafted of.
Now, fans are abuzz with speculation about their engagement. Jong-suk’s new luxury home buy close to IU’s family and IU’s conclusion of her world tour in 2024 are spurring the rumors of a 2025 wedding. Although neither star has publicly announced the next step, their devout fan bases are rooting for what most are calling Korea’s actual royal couple. In an industry often driven by image and drama, IU and Jong-suk’s story stands as a tribute to authentic, unflashy love – the kind that blooms quietly but lasts forever.
