[Sports Chosun Reporter Baek Ji-eun]
The breakup rumors involving singer IU and actor Lee Jong-suk, which dragged BTS’s V into the mix, have been dismissed.
On the 21st, a close acquaintance of IU and Lee Jong-suk stated, “The two are still seeing each other well.”
On the 15th, a photo of IU having dinner with V at a restaurant run by Chef Ahn Sung-jae, to celebrate her birthday, circulated on online communities. Some netizens expressed doubt over IU meeting V instead of her boyfriend, Lee Jong-suk, on her birthday. Additionally, IU’s birthday SNS post featured friends like Kang Han-na and Lee Joo-young, but not Lee Jong-suk, which fueled the breakup rumors.
However, the gathering was actually a social meeting for those involved in IU’s project “Love Wins All,” released last year. V attended the dinner as he had worked with IU on a music video. In fact, V dined comfortably without concealing his face, indicating that the meeting was not a secretive one.
IU and Lee Jong-suk publicly acknowledged their relationship in December 2022. At the end-of-year awards ceremony, Lee Jong-suk expressed his affection for IU, affirming their relationship publicly. However, as top stars, the couple’s private life remains largely away from the spotlight, leading to unnecessary rumors.
Last year, the first breakup rumor emerged but was dispelled when it came to light that Lee Jong-suk attended IU’s concert with his close friend Shin Jae-ha. In February, a second rumor arose after a Chinese community pointed out IU wearing a ring on her index finger. Responding to this, IU said in a Netflix interview, “I know (Lee Jong-suk) is living a very busy life. I’d like to say that in this setting, I only know Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum).”
Reporter Baek Ji-eun [email protected]