On December 31, 2022, Korean media outlet Dispatch shocked K-fans everywhere when it revealed that Golden Disc awarded singer IU and Pinocchio actor Lee Jong Suk were officially an item. By the time of the announcement, the couple had been together for four months, causing many fans to speculate about how their love story began. Many details about their relationship have surfaced since then, and we've compiled most of them below so you can get up to speed. Here's everything you need to know about IU and Lee Jong Suk's storybook romance.

Who is Lee Jong Suk?

Before we dive into their relationship, here's a quick background on Korean heartthrob Lee Jong Suk.

Lee Jong Suk began his career as the youngest male model to debut for Seoul Fashion Week. This led to him being scouted to be a music idol, but he ultimately pursued acting instead. He gained his first acting award in 2012, which was closely followed by another successful acting project called I Can Hear Your Voice.

This caught the eye of the global eyewear brand Oakley. Soon after, Lee Jong Suk was chosen as Oakley's first South Korean brand ambassador. Not only this, but it was also the first time that Oakley appointed an official model as the main face of their brand. Lee Jong Suk has be seen sporting different styles of Oakley sunglasses and prescription lenses throughout the years. Given that Oakley is a globally celebrated eyewear leader, known for their innovations in lenses and frames, Lee Jong Suk's appointment brought greater credibility to his star status.

In the same year as his Oakley collaboration, Lee Jong Suk acted in the K-Drama Pinocchio, which earned $5.6 million worldwide in one year. He continued his acting career but recently took a 2-year break for his mandatory military service. His latest show, Big Mouth, won several awards in 2022.

Who is IU?

Similarly, here's a rundown of IU's illustrious career.

Lee Ji-eun, more commonly known by her stage name IU, started singing professionally in 2008 when she was 15. She did not experience much success until a year later when her third EP, Real, ranked fourth on the Gaon Album Chart. Later on, Billboard named the lead single Good Day as the number one greatest K-Pop song of the decade.

She also began acting in several K-Dramas at this time, even winning a KBS Best New Actress award in 2014, but she continued to pursue her music career. Her popularity grew even more; she has since gone on several solo tours globally. In 2015, she was honored by the Korean Prime Minister for her contributions to music. She made history in 2021 when she became the first female soloist to bring home two grand prizes at the Golden Disc Awards.

Throughout her career, Forbes has listed her as one of the most influential people in South Korea five times. She is set to star in an upcoming untitled television series.

IU and Lee Jong Suk's Relationship

IU and Lee Jong Suk first met over a decade ago when they hosted the weekly music show Inkigayo together. This ran from August to September 2012, but the pair developed a lifelong friendship afterwards. Lee Jong Suk has attended several of IU's Korean concerts throughout the years.

He also often cited her music as a source of enjoyment and inspiration for interviews. He even shared with Elle Korea that "Winter Sleep" by IU is a song he listens to repeatedly as he is fond of its lyrics. He has also posted several of her songs on Instagram.

Lee Jong Suk has since come out saying that he had already felt a deep admiration for IU throughout this time despite only being friends. He even went as far as to say that a piece of his heart had always belonged to her.

In October 2022, fans were surprised when IU was revealed to have attended and performed at the wedding of Lee Jong Suk's brother. This sparked the first few rounds of relationship rumors between the two, which were only further encouraged when Lee Jong Suk seemingly dedicated a portion of his awards speech to her at the MBC Drama Awards. He stated that he was grateful for a certain someone that he respects and has liked for a long time.

When Dispatch revealed their relationship by exposing their luxurious Christmas holiday in Japan, their companies released statements confirming the news shortly after. Both IU and Lee Jong Suk wrote heartfelt letters to their fans, thanking them for their support and asking them to continue cheering their relationship on. Currently, the couple has yet to make any other public declarations of love. But considering their superstardom, millions of fans are eager to celebrate with them.