Squid Game star Jung Ho Yeon and Lee Dong Hwi, who were one of the most beloved couples in the entertainment industry, have officially broken up after 9 years together.

On November 26th, YTN reported that the two have decided to go their separate ways and are now focusing on their careers as colleagues, not lovers.

After almost a decade of nurturing their relationship, Lee Dong Hwi and Jung Ho Yeon have chosen to prioritize their busy schedules and personal growth.

The couple, who confirmed their relationship in 2016, often shared their love openly at public events. Jung Ho Yeon, who rose to international fame with her role in Squid Game, once shared in an interview how proud her partner was of her achievements.

Lee Dong Hwi also showed his support for Jung Ho Yeon when he appeared on Kwak Taxitrip Season 2 in August. During the show, he proudly referred to her as his "girlfriend and best friend," even mentioning her character 'Saebyeok' from Squid Game while chatting with a taxi driver in Los Angeles.

While their romantic relationship has ended, both are still thriving in their careers. Lee Dong Hwi recently wrapped up his role as Kim Sang Soon in the MBC drama Police Chief 1958.

He’s also a part of tvN’s variety show Finland Rooming and will soon return to the stage in the play The Lives of Others, starting November 27th.

Jung Ho Yeon, who made a successful leap into Hollywood, starred in Disclaimer on Apple TV+ last month. In the series, she plays Ji Soo, the assistant to Catherine (played by Cate Blanchett), earning praise for her strong presence and acting skills.

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Actor Song Kang Ho shocked fans by revealing the surprising reason he initially turned down the iconic role in Joint Security Area (JSA).

On February 4, the movie JSA was celebrated as a "Visionary" work at a special GV (Guest Visit) event for CJ ENM’s 30th anniversary at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. The event was attended by director Park Chan-wook and stars like Song Kang Ho, Lee Byung Hun, Lee Young Ae, Kim Tae Woo, and Ko Kyung Beom, who shared stories from the making of the film.

Joint Security Area, a groundbreaking film by director Park Chan-wook, tells the story of North and South Korean soldiers caught in a tragic incident at the border, highlighting the human side of the divided nations. The film has been widely praised for changing the perception of inter-Korean relations and is seen as a key moment in Korean cinema.

During the event, Song Kang Ho admitted that he turned down the JSA script at first, saying, "The script was just too perfect. It was so well-written and tightly woven that I couldn’t believe it. I thought, ‘Is this really Korean cinema at this level?’ I felt it was too good, and I figured the movie wouldn’t live up to the script."

He also mentioned that at the time, Park Chan-wook’s previous films hadn’t done well, which made him even more doubtful. "But after meeting the director, I started to trust him," Song Kang Ho added.

Reflecting on the film 20 years later, Song Kang Ho joked, "I was flipping through channels and watched JSA again. I thought, ‘There was a time when I wasn’t envious of Lee Byung Hun,’ but he looked so handsome and cool back then." He continued, laughing, "One thing about Park Chan-wook's films is that they have a depth and elegance that you just can’t forget. It’s probably why his new movie is called I Can’t Help It."

Song Kang Ho also spoke fondly of reuniting with his JSA co-stars after 25 years. He shared, "We didn’t watch the film together, but we had a cozy two-hour dinner. After all this time, it felt nostalgic. It was heartwarming to sit together again and reminisce about the past. It really made me realize how meaningful these moments are."

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