Lee Jong Suk Reveals His Heart “Always Belonged To IU” In A Personal Letter To Fans
Following Dispatch‘s New Year’s Day relationship reveal, actor Lee Jong Suk penned a letter to his fans—thanking them for their support for his career and his relationship with friend-turned-girlfriend IU.
Hello, this is Lee Jong Suk. I realized I hadn’t thanked the fans in private since winning the huge award. So, though belated, I thought I’d leave it in writing here since I haven’t written in a while.
I’m sorry I ended up wrapping up the year with a shocker. And thank you for cheering me on at the awards ceremony so I could keep my chin up.
I guess what I wanted to share was that I really appreciate you all. I feel like I’m still not enough; I’m a lacking introvert no matter how much I age. But you continue to support me with never-ending love and encouragement, and I’m grateful. I just grew more nervous with each word, and I forgot the most important part. So, again, thank you so much, and I’m sorry.
— Lee Jong Suk
In the letter, Lee Jong Suk shared that he and IU have been friends since his mid-20s. He admitted that, even when the two were starting as friends, he had feelings for the singer that went unexplored for a long time.
Also, I’m sure that I’ve surprised you all with the articles that came out as of late… And I wanted to tell you a bit more about her.
We met for the first time when we were in our mid-20s. For me, it grew into something like a crush. There was something big there, and at times, I was bummed that it didn’t go anywhere. For a long time, we remained friends. But now, we’re finally together.
Hmm… I wish I could explain this better.
— Lee Jong Suk
Comparing IU to the character Kang Dan I from his 2019 K-Drama Romance Is A Bonus Book, Lee Jong Suk explained there had “always a part of [his] heart” that belonged to IU.
How should I word this…? I was moving on with my life, doing my own thing. But there was always a part of my heart that belonged to her.* She was weird like that. I think you would all understand it if I put it this way; She was like Kang Dan I to me.
As friends, we were there for each other when we needed a bit of direction in our lives. We bickered over the troubles that our lives threw our way. I was able to rely on her. Though younger than I am, she felt like a noona sometimes. She was so mature, but at the same time, she made me want to protect her.
All in all, she’s such a wonderful person. And now, she makes me want to become a better man.
— Lee Jong Suk
*In a more literal translation, Lee Jong Suk writes that “IU was a weird one, who was always settled in a corner of my mind.” It can be interpreted as the actor having had feelings for her throughout the years.
Lee Jong Suk wrapped up the letter by asking for the fans’ generous understanding of his new (but not so new) found love.
I hope I’m doing a decent job at introducing her to you all. This is a first for me, so I’m worried that I’d caught you way off guard and that I’d hurt your feelings in some way.
I ask for your generous understanding.
So much has happened in 2022. Thank you again for all the love and support that you’ve shared with me for the year. It made me so happy to see everyone again. I wish you all a happy new year. And I love you all always.
— Lee Jong Suk
IU also penned a letter to her fans after her relationship was revealed. Read her version here.
IU Writes Heartfelt Letter To Fans About Her Relationship With Lee Jong Suk
