New Korean Celebrity Couple Alert! — K-Pop Idol IU And Jang Ki Ha Confirm They Are Dating
Earlier this year, fans of Korean entertainment were bombarded with news on celebrity couples more so than usual for some reason. Either they be rumored or confirmed relationships, those who follow K-pop, K-dramas, K-movies, and the like got more than their fair share. While hit Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) K-drama Producer was airing, news outlets speculated its primary male lead Kim Soo Hyun was dating K-pop idol Dara of 2NE1 because of her cameos in Producer and Soo Hyun’s last major K-drama, My Love From Another Star. Later on, the co-stars of K-drama Pinocchio, Park Shin Hye and Lee Jong Suk, were rumored to be dating too. Also, with every new confirmed couple, there are couples who end their relationships such as Taeyeon, Yoona, and Tiffany of Girls’ Generation.
Now the newest Korean celebrity couple is making big news as prominent K-pop idol Lee Ji Eun, better known as IU, is confirmed dating Jang Ki Ha, of Korean rock group Kiha and the Faces.
Rumors of IU and Jang Ki Ha being together initially started when Korean news outlet Dispatch reported the K-pop and K-rock stars have been dating since March of this year. Following the couple for weeks, they were able to discern certain details about IU and Ki Ha’s relationship, how they were able to spend time together despite busy schedules, as translated by Soompi. An example on IU’s behalf includes her immediately seeing Ki Ha in Mapo after returning from her trip to Shanghai, China on August 30, 2015 right before a practice for a fan meeting. As for Ki Ha, he would go to Yongsan whenever he and IU had free time. It is also reported both would spent most of their time in each other’s homes but whenever they did go out, they wore masks to avoid a scene.
Fans for both IU and Jang Ki Ha were surprised the two were dating each other, citing the 11-year age difference between the two. Ki Ha is 33 and IU is 22. Despite this, both have found each other through a lot of similar interests. Apparently, an acquaintance of both made it known both IU and and Ki Ha first connected primarily through music. Eventually, their relationship developed into a romance.
Now, it should be known the report by Dispatch was stipulation. There was no official confirmation that IU and Jang Ki Ha were officially dating. However, that changed when Loen Entertainment, the management agency IU is signed to, confirmed the relationship.
“The two people are currently dating after developing feelings for each other while exchanging discussions about music as colleagues beginning two years ago.”
Then to further confirm the relationship, IU took to her fan cafe Uaena to confess her feelings for Jang Ki Ha, as reported by KdramaStars. From what is reported, IU was waiting for the right moment to tell everyone about her relationship with Ki Ha, something spoiled once paparazzi photos of both of them leaked.
“You must be shocked. I was thinking of a good way to tell my fans about my relationship, but Dispatch caught the ball before it bounced.”
Thankfully, fans are taking IU and Jang Ki Ha’s relationship going public respectfully. They are showing thorough support for the two expressing such on Uaena. As for the latest for the two, IU received praise for her last acting part in the popular K-drama, Producer. She is currently working on a new album. As for Ki Ha, he is preparing to go on tour but still takes care of hosting duties on his radio show Ki Ha Chang’s Great Radio. His last and only acting part so far was playing Jang Yul in Potato Star 2013QR3.
[Featured Image via Ki Ha Chang’s Great Radio, 1st Post Image via Producer K-Drama Promotions, 2nd Image via Potato Star 2013QR3 Poster]
