After her Emmy-nominated performance in Netflix’s Squid Game, HoYeon Jung has earned herself plenty of new fans around the world. Naturally, with all of this attention comes lots of curiosity about her life beyond the screen—and, of course, that includes questions about her love life. So… who is HoYeon Jung’s boyfriend?
Related: ‘Squid Game’ Was HoYeon Jung’s First-Ever Acting Role—Here’s How Much She Was Paid
Before we dive into her romantic life, let’s talk about Jung herself. She first caught the attention of fans on Korea’s Next Top Model, but it was her role as the tough-as-nails North Korean defector Kang Sae-byeok on Netflix’s Squid Games that turned her into a global phenomenon. Since then, she’s been everywhere—from winning a historic SAG Award, to landing major roles like on Apple TV+’s Disclaimer.
But while her professional life has been an open book of success after success, her personal life has been a bit more private. For years, she was one-half of what many considered one of South Korea’s most genuine and endearing couples. But recent news now has fans wondering what’s next for the star…
Who is HoYeon Jung’s boyfriend?
As of November 2024, it appears that HoYeon Jung is currently single following her recent split from long-time boyfriend Lee Dong-hwi. The breakup was confirmed by both of their respective agencies, with Jung’s agency, People Entertainment, telling Maeil Business Star Today, “Jung Ho-yeon broke up with Lee Dong-hwi,” adding that the two have “decided to remain good colleagues.” Lee’s agency, Company On, similarly acknowledged the split with a brief statement: “It is true that Lee Dong-hwi and Jung Ho-yeon recently broke up.”
The couple, who began dating in 2015 and went public with their relationship in 2016, maintained a notably private yet genuinely supportive partnership throughout their time together. While neither star has personally commented on the reason for their split, their agencies have confirmed it was an amicable decision.
Their relationship felt particularly special to fans because of how they championed each other’s successes. When Jung skyrocketed to international fame with her role as Kang Sae-byeok in Netflix’s Squid Game, Lee couldn’t help but beam with pride. Even in recent months, Lee spoke about Jung with obvious affection. During an episode of Kwak Jun-bin’s World Taxi Restaurant 2 in August 2024, he reportedly told a taxi driver, “Do you know Squid Game? Sae-byeok is my girlfriend and my best friend.”
The couple’s sweet moments extended beyond just public declarations of their relationship status. During an appearance on Yoo Jae-suk’s YouTube talk show, Jung shared a heartwarming story about getting David Beckham’s autograph for Lee at an Adidas event. As reported by Her World, Jung recalled, “I sent it to him, and it was a big deal among him and his friends. He said he was so proud.”
Both stars are now focusing on their flourishing careers. Jung has been making waves in Hollywood with her recent appearance in Apple TV+’s Disclaimer and is preparing for her role in director Na Hong-jin’s upcoming film, Hope. Meanwhile, Lee continues to charm audiences in South Korea, recently starring in Investigation Team Leader 1958 and the show Renting Room in Finland.
