Lee Dong-whee and Jung Ho-yeon End 9-Year Relationship, Remain Good Friends

After a notable nine-year romance, actors Lee Dong-whee (이동휘) and Jung Ho-yeon (정호연) have decided to part ways and pursue their individual paths. On November 26, both actors' agencies confirmed the breakup, stating, "It is true that Lee Dong-whee and Jung Ho-yeon have separated." However, they refrained from providing specific details regarding the reasons for their split, adding, "They have decided to remain good colleagues."

Born in 1985, Lee Dong-whee is nine years older than Jung Ho-yeon, who was born in 1994. The couple began dating in late 2015 and publicly acknowledged their relationship in 2016, becoming one of the entertainment industry's most enduring couples.

Throughout their relationship, they openly expressed their affection for each other in various media, garnering significant public support. Up until August, they continued to mention each other on broadcasts, showcasing their unwavering bond, which has led to surprise among fans regarding their recent breakup.

In April, Jung Ho-yeon appeared on the web variety show Pingga Go (핑계고), where she shared a story about Lee Dong-whee's admiration for David Beckham. She recounted, "Dong-whee oppa is such a fan that he asked me to get an autograph for him. When I met Beckham, I told him my boyfriend was a huge fan, and he even recorded a video for him. When I sent it to Dong-whee, he was overjoyed. He brags about it to his friends, and now I think I have more power in our relationship because of that. I expect this to last for about two years," which elicited laughter from the audience.

Additionally, in August, Lee Dong-whee boasted about Jung Ho-yeon during a taxi ride in Los Angeles while filming for the ENA and EBS co-produced show Kwak Jun-bin's World Food Restaurant 2 (곽준빈의 세계기사식당2), stating, "(The star of Squid Game) is my girlfriend and my best friend," drawing attention.

As they transition from a romantic relationship to a friendship, many are curious about how Lee Dong-whee and Jung Ho-yeon will continue to thrive in their respective careers. Lee Dong-whee is set to appear in the new tvN variety show Finland House Living (핀란드 셋방살이), while Jung Ho-yeon is making her Hollywood debut in Alfonso Cuarón's Apple TV+ series Disclaimer (디스클레이머).