IU, Lee Jong-suk break up after four years; Agencies confirm split; 'Remain good senior-junior colleagues'

South Korean stars IU and Lee Jong-suk have reportedly ended their relationship after being together for nearly four years. News of the breakup surfaced on July 10, with representatives of both celebrities confirming that they have decided to go their separate ways.Responding to reports about their personal lives, representatives for the two stars told Korean media outlet Dispatch, "Both recently broke up and have decided to remain good senior-junior colleagues."

Busy schedules reportedly led to the decision

According to Dispatch reports, the separation was amicable rather than the result of any public controversy. Reports claimed that their demanding professional commitments gradually reduced the amount of time they could spend together.As both actors remained occupied with acting, music and other projects, maintaining the relationship reportedly became increasingly difficult. The reports suggested that their busy calendars eventually influenced their decision.A report from Koreadispatch says, "As their busy schedules led to fewer opportunities to meet, they decided to end the relationship."

A friendship that became a romance

IU and Lee Jong-suk first met in 2012 while working together as hosts on the SBS music programme Inkigayo.

Although they remained friends and colleagues for several years, their relationship reportedly developed into a romance in 2022.The couple confirmed their relationship publicly in December 2022.In its report, Dispatch wrote, "Actor Lee Jong-suk and IU have broken up. After four years of publicly dating, they have decided to go their separate ways."The publication also quoted representatives for the two stars, who reiterated, "The two recently broke up and decided to remain good senior-junior colleagues."

Work front of the Korean stars

Despite the reported breakup, both IU and Lee Jong-suk continue to focus on their respective careers.Lee Jong-suk is preparing for the release of the upcoming series 'The Remarried Empress,' and IU has completed filming for the drama '21st Century Grand Prince's Wife'.