Lee Dong-hwi and Jung Ho-yeon End Their 9-Year Relationship

In a surprising turn of events, Lee Dong-hwi (이동휘) and Jung Ho-yeon (정호연), a beloved couple in the entertainment industry, have ended their relationship after nine years of dating. Both stars had openly expressed their affection for each other, making the news of their breakup particularly disheartening for fans.

On November 26, 2024, representatives from both sides confirmed to OSEN that the couple has indeed parted ways, stating, "It is true that they have broken up. They have decided to remain good colleagues."

Lee Dong-hwi and Jung Ho-yeon began dating in late 2015 and publicly acknowledged their relationship in 2016. At that time, Lee Dong-hwi had gained significant fame from his role in the hit drama Reply 1988 (응답하라 1988), which brought considerable attention to their romance.

Their relationship was relatively low-key, as both continued to work diligently in their respective careers as an actor and a model, keeping their personal lives private. However, Jung Ho-yeon's rise to global stardom through the Netflix original series Squid Game (오징어 게임) in 2021 reignited interest in their relationship.

Despite the challenges of fame, Lee Dong-hwi and Jung Ho-yeon maintained a sweet and supportive relationship. Lee often expressed pride in Jung's achievements, while she reciprocated with thoughtful gifts for him.

In August, during an episode of the cable program Kwak Jun-bin's World Food Restaurant 2 (곽준빈의 세계기사식당2), Lee's affection was evident when he mentioned Jung while filming in Los Angeles. He proudly told a taxi driver that Jung was the lead actress in Squid Game, showcasing his admiration for her success.

Jung Ho-yeon also made headlines for a surprise gift she arranged for Lee. In March, during an appearance on the YouTube channel Pinggyeogo (핑계고), Lee shared a touching story about receiving a video message from football star David Beckham, which Jung had orchestrated as a special surprise for him, knowing he was a long-time fan.

Given their open displays of love and support for each other, the news of their breakup comes as a shock. Fans had hoped that this long-standing couple would eventually tie the knot, making the announcement all the more disappointing.