One of the hottest couples in South Korean entertainment industry, Lee Sung-kyung and Nam Joo-hyuk, have parted ways; their agency YG Entertainment confirmed on August 18.
As noted by website Soompi, YG Entertainment confirmed that the 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo' couple have split, saying, "We checked with Nam Joo Hyuk and Lee Sung Kyung, and it is true that the two recently broke up," The agency then added, they cannot mention the reason why they broke up because it is their personal matter.
Both Koreaboo and Soompi mentioned earlier today that as per industry representatives, the couple grew apart gradually due to busy schedules. They have decided to maintain their senior-junior supportive relationship. 27-year-old Lee Sung-kyung is four years older than Nam Joo-hyuk.
As noted by Soompi, Lee Sung-kyung and Nam Joo-hyuk had confirmed on April 24 via YG Entertainment that they were indeed in a relationship. "After checking with Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk, they confirmed that after being close friends since their modelling days, the pair recently developed romantic feelings for one another and are dating well now," the agency had said back then. Fans had cheered for them following this news.
Both of them started out as models for the agency YGK-Plus. It is at this agency that they became good friends and grew close; often doing photo shoots and appearing on magazines together. Fans first suspected they were more than just friends after Lee Sung-kyung uploaded a photo on her Instagram profile from a Coldplay concert in Seoul in April, which apparently showed an ecstatic Nam Joo-hyuk jumping in the air.
Dispatch then provided a detailed report on the couple along with photos to show they had proof that the couple were dating. "Lee Sung Kyung (26) and Nam Joo Hyuk (23) are current in a relationship. From being really close actor friends, they have now become a couple. We, Dispatch, discovered them on a date," Koreaboo provided a translation from the report by Dispatch.
Also, as noted by website YG United on April 24, an official of MBC broadcasting company, which produced and aired 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo' said, "The affection of the two people is so deep that the people surround them recognize and cheer up." Apart from modelling together, they also starred in two dramas together, namely tvN's 'Cheese in the Trap' and 'MBC's 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo.' Sadly, they split anyway.
Some fans are still in denial, commenting on social media that the couple is actually together, but for the sake of their individual careers they are telling the public they've broken up. Others think it is a strategy why their agency YG Entertainment to draw attention off their personal lives and help them in their careers, while the couple secretly continues their relationship.
It would be great if they rekindled their relationship sometime in the future. This has happened with others. But for now, they are well wishers of each other. Hopefully, they remain good friends and have long careers ahead. Lee Sung Kyung is filming for her upcoming movie 'Love Sling,' while Nam Joo-hyuk is appearing in 'Bride of the Water God.'
