On November 26, representatives from Jung Ho Yeon’s agency, Saram Entertainment, and Lee Dong Hwi’s agency, Company On, confirmed the news to OSEN. “It is true that Jung Ho Yeon and Lee Dong Hwi have broken up. They have decided to return to being good colleagues,” they stated.
A Decade-Long Journey
The two began dating in 2015 and publicly acknowledged their relationship in January 2016, overcoming a nine-year age gap to nurture a quiet and supportive partnership. While Lee Dong Hwi often avoided personal questions about their relationship in interviews, he showed great care in protecting their privacy.
However, this year brought subtle changes in their public approach to each other, drawing attention from fans. Notably, their playful banter was highlighted on various shows, including the web variety program Pinggyego.
Playful Mentions on “Pinggyego”
In March, Lee Dong Hwi appeared on Pinggyego, where Yoo Jae Suk jokingly referenced Jung Ho Yeon’s remarks about one of Lee Dong Hwi’s projects. “Ho Yeon said she watched Gyewon of the Month and found it boring. When I told her, ‘Dong Hwi was cute in it,’ she disagreed,” Yoo teased, adding that Jung Ho Yeon had expressed interest in joining the show herself.
Lee Dong Hwi humorously responded, “I hope she comes on and shows us what she’s got,” though he also thanked her for securing a video message from David Beckham during one of his events.
When Jung Ho Yeon later appeared on the show, she continued the lighthearted tone, sharing anecdotes about her growing influence after Squid Game. She recounted how Lee Dong Hwi, a fan of Beckham, had asked her to secure an autograph. “When I met Beckham, he offered to record a video instead. Dong Hwi was so happy—he bragged about it to his friends for weeks. He keeps thanking me for it, saying my power has surpassed his,” she joked.
From Love to Friendship
In their final year as a couple, the pair began to speak more openly about their relationship in media appearances, including Lee Dong Hwi mentioning “Squid Game” actress Jung Ho Yeon being his girlfriend during Kwak Taxitrip 2 in August. Despite these warm moments, they ultimately decided to part ways, transitioning from lovers to supportive colleagues.
The specific reasons behind their breakup remain undisclosed, with both agencies emphasizing mutual respect. “They have decided to remain on good terms as colleagues,” the statement concluded.
Source: OSEN
