The K-Drama Heartthrob Whose Career Survived Five Public Relationships With Popular Celebrities
Korean celebrities are usually not very open about their romantic relationships with the public. Fans often learn about their favorite stars’ private lives only through milestone events such as marriage announcements. But one Korean heartthrob had multiple public relationships during the peak of his career and is still active in the industry today.
New K-Drama fans might know him as Jin Tae Joon from the hit Netflix series Celebrity, but back in the early 2000s, he was one of the biggest K-Drama heartthrobs, thanks to his role in Lovers In Paris. The actor in question is Lee Dong Gun, a veteran figure in the industry who has been active since 2003.
Lee debuted in 1998 as a singer, but his fortune led him to acting, where he flourished. Though he starred in a few dramas between 2002 and 2003, his breakthrough year was 2004, when his projects such as Sweet 18, Lovers in Paris, and Stained Glass brought him considerable fame.
As rewarding as his two-decade-long career might have been, one of the most talked-about parts of the actor’s life in South Korea is his long dating history which was very much public since the early stages of his career.
1. Kim Min Jung
Actress Kim Min Jung and Lee worked together on a project where they played the roles of lovers. The two reportedly developed real feelings for one another, and they ended up dating for one and a half years in 2004 before calling it quits.
2. Han Ji Hye
It is often said that actress Han Ji Hye’s involvement with Lee Dong Gun was one of the most talked-about relationships of the latter. The two actors met in 2014 while filming for Sweet 18 and started dating, which eventually developed into a long-term relationship.
The couple was cast together for a project again in 2005 for the movie My Boyfriend Is Type B. It wasn’t until this movie that speculations about the two dating started floating around as people witnessed their off-screen chemistry on set. Eventually, they started appearing together in public while on dates.
With how secure the two appeared to be in their relationship, people were convinced they would end up together. But unfortunately, the two actors ended the relationship after four years, and Lee’s representatives said it was caused by personal issues, including Lee’s military enlistment and marriage. After their breakup, Han Ji Hye removed her entire online page where she had previously posted pictures with Lee, and the public took it as a confirmation of the split.
3. Cha Ye Ryun
Rumors of a romantic relationship between Cha Ye Ryun and Lee Dong Gun surfaced in 2009. It was reported that they had been dating since the previous year when they filmed the K-Drama Star’s Lover together.
The actors were spotted together in public, spending time at coffee shops and stores. However, they never officially admitted that they were dating.
Two years later, there were reports that the couple had called it quits, though neither side gave any official confirmation. Lee Dong Gun then enlisted in the military for his mandatory service.
4. T-ARA’s Jiyeon
Another of Lee’s highly publicized relationships was in 2015 with T-ARA member Jiyeon, who is 12 years his junior.
Reports stated that the two became close while filming the Korea-China joint production of Haehu, and the rumors were confirmed once fans spotted them together on a date in Shanghai, China. The two stars’ agencies also released official statements admitting they were dating.
However, their relationship came to an end after two years in February 2017. A representative told Ilgan Sports, “They have decided to end their relationship and maintain a sunbae-hoobae relationship. Their schedules were so busy that they neglected to meet often, and so they broke up just like any other couple would.”
5. Jo Yoon Hee
Just 26 days after calling it quits with Jiyeon, Lee Dong Gun was spotted on a date with famous actress Jo Yoon Hee. After Dispatch released a photo of them on a date, the two actors confirmed the news.
Only two months after dating, Lee Dong Gun announced his marriage to Jo and the news of their expecting a child. The two actors met while filming the 2016 drama The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop and started dating after Lee’s breakup with Jiyeon.
They ended up getting divorced three years later.
Jo Yoon Hee has returned to the public eye after years as she started her official Instagram account. The actress posted photos with her daughter, much to fans’ excitement.
