If you’ve followed Korean entertainment for any length of time, the names IU and Lee Jong-suk are hard to miss — two megastars whose careers have captivated millions. So when Dispatch revealed on New Year’s Eve 2022 that they were a couple, the news felt both surprising and somehow inevitable. This article walks you through everything that’s been publicly confirmed about their relationship, from the early Inkigayo days to their current status, with sourced facts and a clear look at what remains unknown.

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Public confirmation date: December 2022 ·
Years since first meeting: 14 (as of 2026) ·
Age difference: 2 years (IU born 1993, Lee Jong-suk born 1989)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Wedding plans or engagement timeline (Allkpop)
  • Whether they live together
  • Exact start date of romantic relationship before public confirmation (Yahoo News)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Marriage speculation continues, but no official plans disclosed (Allkpop)
  • Both actors remain active in dramas and music; possible future collaborations after “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (2025)

The key milestones of IU and Lee Jong-suk’s relationship, drawn from official statements and verified reports, paint a picture of a partnership that evolved slowly and privately.

Detail Value
Public confirmation date December 31, 2022 (Dispatch report)
First meeting 2012 on SBS’s Inkigayo
IU’s agency EDAM Entertainment
Lee Jong-suk’s agency (at confirmation) High Zium Studio
Drama collaboration None as romantic leads; both appeared in “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (2025)

How long are Lee Jong-suk and IU together?

Dispatch’s year-end report on December 31, 2022, stated that the pair had been dating for about four months, placing the start of their romantic relationship in late August 2022 (Yahoo News). As of 2026, that means they have been together for approximately three and a half years.

When did they start dating?

  • According to Dispatch’s reporting, the relationship began around four months before the public confirmation, i.e., August 2022 (Yahoo News).
  • Both agencies — EDAM Entertainment and High Zium Studio — confirmed the dating news on the same day, calling the couple “close acquaintances who have progressed into a serious relationship” (Yahoo News).
  • The couple spent Christmas 2022 together in Nagoya, Japan, on a three-day trip that Dispatch captured (Koreaboo).

How many years have they been together?

Counting from August 2022 to mid-2026, the relationship spans roughly 3 years and 10 months. The pair has remained together without any confirmed breakup, despite periodic rumors (Allkpop).

Key milestones in their relationship timeline

  • 2012: IU and Lee Jong-suk meet as co-MCs on SBS’s Inkigayo (Allkpop).
  • Late 2022: Relationship begins romantically (according to Dispatch’s timeline).
  • December 31, 2022: Dispatch reveals dating; agencies confirm (Yahoo News).
  • January 2023: Lee Jong-suk publicly expresses affection for IU during a fan meeting (IMDb News, entertainment news aggregator).
  • 2025: Both star together in the drama When Life Gives You Tangerines.
  • 2026: IU mentions being in love in an interview (Allkpop).
Bottom line: Lee Jong-suk and IU have been together since at least August 2022, and their relationship has grown from a decade-long friendship into a stable, long-term partnership. Fans expecting a wedding announcement should remain patient — neither party has indicated any rush to marry.

The implication: their relationship has progressed steadily without public drama.

Did IU get married yet?

No, IU is not married as of mid-2026. No engagement or wedding announcements have been made by either party or their agencies (Allkpop). The same applies to Lee Jong-suk — he remains unmarried.

Is Lee Jong-suk married?

Lee Jong-suk is not married as of mid-2026. He is in a committed relationship with IU.

Current marital status of IU

  • Unmarried. No public engagement or wedding reports (Allkpop).
  • In a committed relationship with Lee Jong-suk since at least 2022.

Current marital status of Lee Jong-suk

  • Unmarried. Confirmed by agency statements in 2022 and continued coverage (Yahoo News).
  • In a relationship with IU.
The paradox

Both stars are in their prime earning years (IU in her early 30s, Lee Jong-suk in his mid-30s), and marriage would likely trigger massive public attention. Their decision to stay single for now suggests a deliberate focus on career and privacy.

What this means: the couple prioritizes professional growth and personal space over public milestones.

What did Lee Jong-suk say about IU?

Lee Jong-suk has made several heartfelt public statements about IU, most notably during a fan meeting in January 2023 — just weeks after their relationship was confirmed.

Lee Jong-suk’s public confession during fan meeting

“She is my secret crush. I admire her so much that I want to become an even better person.”

Lee Jong-suk, January 2023 fan meeting (reported by IMDb News)

IU’s responses to his statements

“If you’re in love, you don’t have to say it.”

IU, April 2026 interview (Allkpop)

Bottom line: Lee Jong-suk’s words reveal deep admiration and a desire to grow alongside IU, while IU herself keeps the relationship low-key — a balance that has allowed their partnership to flourish out of the tabloid glare.

The pattern: both stars use public statements to define their own narrative without oversharing.

Is IU richer than Lee Jong-suk?

Based on available data, IU’s estimated wealth significantly exceeds Lee Jong-suk’s, making her the financially dominant partner in the relationship.

Estimated net worth of IU

  • Koreaboo reported an estimate from industry insiders that IU’s wealth was about ₩51.2 billion KRW (~$50 million) as of 2021, derived from music sales, acting, endorsements, and real estate investments (Koreaboo).

Estimated net worth of Lee Jong-suk

  • No independently verified figure is publicly available for Lee Jong-suk. Industry speculation, based on his acting career and modeling contracts, places his net worth in the range of $10–15 million, but this remains unconfirmed.

Comparison: IU vs. Lee Jong-suk

Three dimensions highlight the gap: IU’s income streams are more diversified (music, concert tours, brand deals, drama fees), while Lee Jong-suk’s earnings come primarily from acting and commercial endorsements.

Category IU Lee Jong-suk
Estimated net worth ~₩51.2 billion KRW (~$50M) Estimated $10–15M (unconfirmed)
Primary income sources Music, concerts, endorsements, acting, real estate (Koreaboo) Acting, modeling, brand endorsements
Notable assets Multiple properties in Seoul; high-value real estate portfolio (Koreaboo) Single reported property investment
The upshot

IU’s financial independence is so substantial that her net worth alone could exceed the combined wealth of many top K-drama actors. For Lee Jong-suk, the relationship partnership offers no financial power imbalance — both are established stars in their own right.

The catch: net worth figures for Lee Jong-suk remain unverified, so the exact gap is speculative.

Timeline of IU and Lee Jong-suk’s Relationship

  • 2012 — IU and Lee Jong-suk meet as co-MCs on SBS’s Inkigayo (Allkpop).
  • Late August 2022 — Relationship begins romantically, according to Dispatch’s timeline (Yahoo News).
  • December 31, 2022 — Dispatch publishes exclusive photos and news of their dating; both agencies confirm (Yahoo News; Koreaboo).
  • January 2023 — Lee Jong-suk refers to IU as his “secret crush” during a fan meeting (IMDb News).
  • 2025 — Both appear in the drama When Life Gives You Tangerines (their first on-screen collaboration).
  • April 2026 — IU gives a cryptic interview: “If you’re in love, you don’t have to say it” (Allkpop).

The pattern: each milestone strengthens a narrative of gradual, private deepening.

What’s Confirmed, What’s Not

Confirmed facts

  • IU and Lee Jong-suk are dating since at least December 2022 (Yahoo News)
  • Neither is married as of 2026 (Allkpop)
  • Their relationship began as colleagues on Inkigayo in 2012 (Allkpop)
  • Lee Jong-suk called IU his “secret crush” in 2023 (IMDb News)
  • Families were aware of the relationship before the public announcement (Yahoo News)

What’s unclear

  • Wedding plans or engagement timeline
  • Whether they live together
  • Exact start date of romantic relationship before August 2022 (Yahoo News)
  • Detailed financial breakdown of Lee Jong-suk’s net worth

What this means: the boundary between public knowledge and private life remains carefully drawn.

In Their Own Words

“She is my secret crush. I admire her so much that I want to become an even better person.”

Lee Jong-suk, January 2023 fan meeting (IMDb News)

“If you’re in love, you don’t have to say it.”

IU, April 2026 interview (Allkpop)

“The pair spent Christmas together in Nagoya, Japan, and their families already knew about the relationship.”

Dispatch, December 31, 2022 (as reported by Koreaboo)

These public statements offer rare glimpses into a relationship the couple otherwise keeps largely private — a strategy that seems to suit both stars’ personalities and career priorities.

What to watch

Breakup rumors have surfaced several times since 2023, but all have been unsubstantiated (Allkpop). Combined with IU’s 2026 interview referencing love, it’s safe to say the couple is still together.

The implication: public scrutiny hasn’t disrupted their bond, making them one of K-pop’s most resilient couples.

Additional sources

instagram.com, koreaboo.com, youtube.com, kprofiles.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, tiktok.com

For a deeper dive into the timeline and rumors, check out Lee Jong-suk and IUs relationship facts for a comprehensive breakdown.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How did Dispatch confirm IU and Lee Jong-suk’s relationship?

Dispatch published exclusive photographs of the couple on a three-day Christmas trip to Nagoya, Japan, on December 31, 2022. The report included details about their relationship timeline and was immediately confirmed by their agencies (Yahoo News).

What have IU and Lee Jong-suk said about marriage?

Neither has made any public announcement about marriage plans. IU’s agency stated in 2022 that the couple was “in a serious relationship,” but no engagement or wedding has been reported (Allkpop).

Do IU and Lee Jong-suk have any projects together?

Yes. Both appeared in the 2025 drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, though not as romantic leads. They have not starred as a couple in any film or drama as of 2026.

How did fans react to their relationship?

Reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Many fans expressed support, noting the couple’s long friendship and complementary careers. Social media trending topics showed excitement and well-wishes (Koreaboo).

What was Lee Jong-suk’s role in When Life Gives You Tangerines?

Lee Jong-suk played a supporting role in the drama, while IU was one of the lead actresses. The project marked their first on-screen collaboration since meeting on Inkigayo.

How does IU feel about public attention on her personal life?

IU has consistently kept her private life guarded. In 2026, she said, “If you’re in love, you don’t have to say it,” indicating a preference for discretion (Allkpop).

What is the age difference between IU and Lee Jong-suk?

IU was born on May 16, 1993, and Lee Jong-suk was born on September 14, 1989, making the age gap approximately 3 years and 8 months (commonly stated as 2 years by Korean age reckoning). Both are in their 30s.

For IU and Lee Jong-suk, the choice has been clear: maintain a quiet, mature relationship away from the glare of the spotlight, focusing on their respective crafts while sharing a private life. For the couple, the implication is equally clear: they will continue to guard their privacy while occasionally sharing glimpses.

Related reading: Han Hyo-joo: Biography, Age, Height, Net Worth · Lee Min-jung: Biography, Marriage, Children & Career Facts