Squid Game star Jung Ho Yeon breaks up with boyfriend Lee Dong Hwi after nearly decade-long relationship

South Korean actors Jung Ho-yeon, 30, and Lee Dong-hwi, 39, have officially parted ways after being in a nearly decade-long relationship. On Tuesday, South Korean news outlet My Daily reported that a representative from Jung Ho Yeon's agency, Saerom Entertainment, confirmed the split. However, both Jung Ho-yeon and Lee Dong-hwi will continue to remain good friends, as per report.

An official from Jung Ho-yeon’s agency, People Entertainment, told Maeil Business Star Today, “Jung Ho-yeon broke up with Lee Dong-hwi,” adding that the two have “decided to remain good colleagues.” Similarly, Lee Dong-hwi’s agency, Company On, acknowledged the split, stating, “It is true that Lee Dong-hwi and Jung Ho-yeon recently broke up.”

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Jung Ho-yeon, Lee Dong-hwi announce break-up after 9 years

The couple, who went public with their relationship in 2016, supported each other throughout their careers. Jung Ho-yeon and Lee Dong-hwi were much admired for their open nature and being very supportive of each other.

Fans still recall how the two had been so candid about their love and romance, with events such as Lee Dong-hwi proudly talking about their relationship on an American TV program last 2021, saying, “Squid Game’s heroine, ‘Dawn,’ is my girlfriend and best friend.” Likewise, Jung Ho-yeon also expressed her grateful thoughts for Lee for encouraging her when she rose to international prominence after Netflix’s Squid Game.

But despite this, the South Korean couple decided to announce the split. Former model and now global star Jung Ho-yeon strengthened her place in Hollywood last month with Apple TV+’s Disclaimer, while Lee Dong-hwi is still active on South Korean screens; most recently, he starred in the drama Investigation Team Leader 1958 and participated in tvN’s variety show Renting Room in Finland.

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The fans are upset by this news but still consider both actors in their minds as both further their successful careers.

Currently, both actors are keeping busy with their respective careers, their agencies said. Jung recently appeared in the Apple TV+ series "Disclaimer" and is gearing up for the release of director Na Hong-jin’s new film "Hope", according to Korean Times.

Lee, meanwhile, will star in the upcoming tvN variety show "Rented in Finland" and is set to perform in the play "The Lives of Others" starting Wednesday.

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In the first season of Squid Game, Jung Ho Yeon portrays Kang Sae-byeok, a North Korean defector. She participates in the deadly game to earn enough money to pay a broker who can help rescue her parents from North Korea and bring them to safety. Her ultimate goal is to buy a house where her family can finally reunite and live a better life.

Following her standout performance in Squid Game, Jung Ho Yeon appeared in the psychological thriller miniseries Disclaimer, written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón. The series is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Renée Knight.