Korean star couple IU, Lee Jong-suk describe each other as supportive, trustworthy partner in letter to fans
Korean star couple IU and Lee Jong-suk are proud to be in love with each other, as seen in the heartfelt letters they wrote to their fans on New Year's Eve.
On Dec 31, IU and Lee were revealed to be in an exclusive relationship for four months by entertainment outlet Dispatch. The news came as part of the portal's year-end tradition to put the secret relationships of Korean celebrity couples out in the open.
The agencies of both celebrities confirmed the news later that day, with Lee's agency High Zium Studio saying that "the two continuously meet each other."
On New Year's Eve, both IU and Lee posted heartwarming letters on their fan cafes to validate their agencies' statements, in addition to assuring their fans that they are happy to be in each other's lives.
IU began her letter to UAENA (her fan club name), apologizing for the articles that might have given them a "confusing last day of the year."
"Those who saw the articles today must know, but I am currently dating," she continued. "I think our UAENA who are always worried about me and curious about how I am doing must have been really surprised, so I feel very cautious about this but, yeah..that happened!"
The Celebrity singer went on to reveal that she and Lee started out as colleagues who were "building up positive feelings while relying on each other."
She then described her beau as someone who has been supportive of her and consequently inspires her to do better at work.
"He is a reliable and cute person who has supported me for a long time, always told me I’m amazing, and sent me sincere encouragement," IU continued.
"As UAENA always watches over me most closely, I think you must feel that I am in a time where I am emotionally comfortable and doing well."
"Along with that, I think one of the reasons that my pride and passion for work is surging even more these days is because I have a good friend who compliments me for a long time up close," the singer noted.
Lee, for his part, began his letter by thanking his fans have been giving him "constant love and support," especially when he won the "daesang" (grand prize) for his performance in the drama Big Mouth at the 2022 MBC Drama Awards last Dec. 30.
He went on, telling his fans that he and IU were long-time friends before becoming a couple.
"About that friend from the articles today, we first met when I was around my mid-20s, and it was big beyond puppy love, but I had regrets as it couldn’t be achieved," he explained. "We were friends for a long time, and now it turned out like this."
Lee, 33, expressed how IU, 29, has been making him feel loved with her support in his work and life which, in turn, gives him the drive to protect her.
He also compared his girlfriend to Kang Dan, the love interest and long-time friend of Lee's Cha Eun-ho in the 2019 drama Romance is a Bonus Book.
He continued, "Even when I was working hard living my own way, she was a strange existence who always took up a corner of my heart. I think my fans will understand if I say that she was like Kang Dan I (character in “Romance is a Bonus Book”) to me."
"She is an amazing person who helps me with my path and concerns of life as a friend, is someone I can rely on, is younger but sometimes feels older, and is like a grown adult but also someone I want to protect."
"Now she makes me want to be a better person," Lee added.