IU and Lee Jong Suk have been dating since late 2022, and 2026 marks their fourth year together. Despite their high-profile status, the couple has maintained an extremely low-key relationship, rarely sharing public displays of affection. However, fans have continued to spot small but telling details that hint at their stable and affectionate bond.
The latest “evidence” emerged through a New Year gathering video uploaded to actress Ryu Hye-young’s personal YouTube channel. Ryu Hye-young previously worked with Lee Jong Suk on the drama Seocho-dong, which wrapped filming last August. Although the drama ended months ago, the cast has remained close and recently reunited to celebrate the New Year, with Lee Jong Suk in attendance.
While the warm and friendly atmosphere among the actors drew attention, what truly caught fans’ eyes was Lee Jong Suk’s dark yellow fleece jacket. Shortly after the video was released, netizens pointed out that IU had been seen wearing the exact same jacket in a recent private gathering photo with actress Lee Yeon. From the color and design to the brand logo, the jackets appeared to be identical, prompting fans to excitedly label them as “couple outfits.”
Photos comparing the two outfits quickly circulated on social media, with comments such as “This is definitely a couple item” and “They’re low-key but so sweet” flooding online forums.
However, not all fans were thrilled. Some expressed discomfort, especially given IU and Lee Jong Suk’s upcoming dramas involving romantic plotlines. They felt that making the relationship too public could interfere with viewers’ immersion in their roles.
One fan even used IU’s fan communication app to voice their frustration, sharing images of both IU and Lee Jong Suk in the outfits and mentioning concerns about couple items like matching clothes and phone cases.
To this, IU directly replied, “It’s a different outfit…?” surprising fans by publicly addressing the speculation — something she usually avoids when it comes to her relationship with Lee Jong Suk.
This rare comment drew attention, with netizens reacting: “She must’ve really wanted to clear it up if she commented herself,” “They just accidentally wore similar clothes,” “I can’t believe she actually responded to that,” “They must be happily dating,” and “It must be exhausting to deal with constant breakup or couple item rumors.”
IU and Lee Jong Suk have known each other for over a decade before their friendship developed into a romantic relationship. When their romance was confirmed at the end of 2022, both sides openly acknowledged the relationship. Since then, despite occasional speculation about their status, the couple has chosen not to respond to rumors, instead quietly continuing their relationship away from the spotlight.
Sources: Yahoo News, Naver