Lee Jong-suk and IU: Relationship Timeline and Biography

Born: September 14, 1989 ·
Height: 186 cm ·
Occupation: Actor, model ·
Years active: 2005–present ·
Instagram: @jongsuk0206 ·
Military service: Completed

Eight key facts about Lee Jong-suk, from his birthday to his relationship status:

Is Lee Jong-suk in a relationship with IU?

Evidence of their relationship

The relationship between Lee Jong-suk and IU was confirmed on December 31, 2022, when South Korean media outlet Dispatch (Korean media outlet) published a New Year’s couple reveal featuring the two stars. Both agencies quickly acknowledged the relationship. Lee Jong-suk’s agency, Ace Factory, stated they were “getting to know each other with positive feelings,” while IU’s agency, EDAM Entertainment, confirmed the same (Wikipedia (IU)).

Since then, neither has announced a breakup. As of early 2026, the relationship status remains dating.

Official statements from agencies

Ace Factory and EDAM Entertainment both issued statements in December 2022 confirming the relationship. The statements were widely reported by Korean media. No agency has issued a denial of marriage or breakup rumors since (Wikipedia (IU)).

The implication: The absence of breakup announcements does not confirm marriage, but the relationship remains active by all available official accounts.

How long have IU and Lee Jong-suk been together?

When did they first meet?

Lee Jong-suk and IU had been known to be friends for several years before confirming their relationship. They worked together as co-hosts on the music show Inkigayo in 2013-2014, which is where many believe their friendship began (Wikipedia (IU)). However, the exact start date of their romantic relationship has never been disclosed.

Public appearances together

Since the confirmation, the couple has been spotted on casual dates, including at a restaurant in Seoul and on a trip to Japan, according to reports from Korean outlets. They have not publicly appeared together at events, maintaining a relatively private profile.

What this means: The relationship timeline is well-documented from late 2022 onward, but any claims of a longer dating period (e.g., eight years) are unsubstantiated speculation.

Who is the wife of Lee Jong-suk?

Is Lee Jong-suk married?

Lee Jong-suk is not married as of early 2026. There is no official record of marriage in any civil register or agency statement (Legit.ng (entertainment news)). While some social media posts have claimed a secret marriage, these are not corroborated by higher-tier sources (Facebook post (community source, low confidence)).

Rumored wife IU

IU and Lee Jong-suk are often referred to as a “married couple” by fans, but no legal marriage has taken place. A 2026 rumor claimed a wedding on September 31, 2026 – a date that does not exist, which strongly indicates the report is fabricated (YouTube video (user-uploaded, low confidence)).

The catch: The absence of a marriage announcement should not be confused with secrecy. Korean entertainment agencies typically announce marriages publicly.

Are IU and Lee Jong Suk getting married?

Marriage announcement details

No marriage announcement has been made by either agency. The rumor that the couple plans to marry in 2026 appears to originate from an unverified YouTube video claiming an “official wedding in Seoul” (YouTube (tier3 source)). The date given—September 31—is factually impossible, making the entire report unreliable.

Wedding plans and location

Without an official source, speculation about venue or date is baseless. Fans should treat any such information as speculative until confirmed by Ace Factory or EDAM Entertainment.

The trade-off: The intense public interest in the relationship naturally fuels rumors, but factual checking shows no credible evidence of an impending marriage.

What is Lee Jong-suk’s background and career?

Early life and education

Lee Jong-suk was born in Yongin, South Korea, on September 14, 1989 (IMDb (industry-standard database)). He studied Professional Motion Pictures and Art at Konkuk University. He began his entertainment career as a runway model in 2005 (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).

Acting career highlights

Lee Jong-suk transitioned to acting in 2010, with his breakthrough role in School 2013 (2012) (Wikipedia filmography). He has since starred in major hits including Pinocchio (2014), While You Were Sleeping (2017), and Romance Is a Bonus Book (2019). His film credits include The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion and Miracle Days.

He completed his mandatory military service in 2022 (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia)).

The pattern: Lee Jong-suk’s career follows the typical K-drama star trajectory – model debut, supporting roles, then leading man status. His partnership with IU adds a layer of public fascination that has elevated his global profile.

Timeline of key events

• 2005 – Debuts as runway model (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
• 2010 – Begins acting career (Wikipedia filmography)
• December 2022 – Dispatch reveals relationship; agencies confirm (Wikipedia (IU))
• 2023 – Completes military service
• 2026 – Unsubstantiated marriage rumor circulates featuring impossible date September 31

This timeline highlights the key milestones in Lee Jong-suk’s career and relationship.

For readers interested in more K-drama content, check out our guide to My Dearest Nemesis: Where to Watch, Cast, Ending & More.

What we know for sure — and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Lee Jong-suk was born on September 14, 1989 (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
• He is dating IU as of 2022 and no breakup has been announced (Wikipedia (IU))
• He completed military service (Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia))
• He is not married (Legit.ng (entertainment news))

What remains unclear

• Exact start date of the relationship with IU
• Whether they plan to marry
• Validity of the September 31, 2026 marriage rumor

Statements from the agencies

“Lee Jong-suk and IU are getting to know each other with positive feelings.”

– Ace Factory (Lee Jong-suk’s agency), December 2022, as reported by Korean media via Wikipedia (IU)

“We confirm that the two are in a romantic relationship and are continuing to meet with good feelings.”

– EDAM Entertainment (IU’s agency), December 2022, via Wikipedia (IU)

Dispatch reported the couple spending Christmas together, with Lee Jong-suk personally attending IU’s concert.

– Dispatch, as cited in Wikipedia (IU)

Agency statements remain the most reliable source for official updates on the couple.

For fans of K-dramas and K-pop, the relationship between Lee Jong-suk and IU is one of the most transparently confirmed celebrity pairings in recent memory. The confirmed timeline is clear: dating since at least late 2022, both agencies on the record. The marriage rumors, especially those with impossible dates, are fiction. For readers following the couple, the reliable source remains the agencies themselves. Until official announcements, Lee Jong-suk and IU remain a confirmed couple by credible sources.

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For those following the couple’s journey, a detailed confirmed relationship timeline provides further context on their public appearances and marriage speculation.

Frequently asked questions

These answers address common questions about Lee Jong-suk’s life and career.