Will There Be a New Couple Like IU♥Lee Jong Suk on January 1st? A Look Back at Past New Year’s Dating News
January 1, 2025, is just around the corner.
Though this year’s end feels especially heavy due to the fallout from political turmoil, including impeachment trials and the Jeju Air crash, we hope the new year brings healing and peace. For many, the first day of the year is a special occasion, but in the entertainment world, it’s also a day of anticipation and anxiety, as it’s become a tradition for media outlet Dispatch to reveal a high-profile celebrity couple on New Year’s Day.
Here’s a look back at some of the notable couples whose dating rumors Dispatch has reported over the years.
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2013: Kim Tae Hee & Rain
The 2013 New Year’s Day couple that made waves was actress Kim Tae Hee and singer-actor Rain. At the time, Rain was serving in the military, and photos of their meeting, with Rain still in uniform, drew significant public attention. Their relationship, involving two of Korea’s top stars, caused a media frenzy. The couple went public with their romance on January 1 and married four years later in January 2017. They now have two daughters together.
2014: Yoona & Lee Seung Gi
In 2014, Dispatch revealed the heartwarming romance between actor Lee Seung Gi and Girls’ Generation’s Yoona. Fans were thrilled, as Lee Seung Gi had previously named Yoona as his ideal type on a variety show. However, their busy schedules led to the couple breaking up after a year and seven months. Lee Seung Gi is now married to actress Lee Da In, the daughter of actress Kyeon Mi-ri, and they have a daughter together.
2015: Lim Se Ryung & Lee Jung Jae
Actor Lee Jung Jae, currently riding high on his success from Squid Game 2, made headlines in 2015 for his relationship with Lim Se Ryung, the vice chairwoman of Daesang Group. The two have been in a public relationship for a decade and continue to attend high-profile events together, such as the 2024 LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles this past November.
2016 Onward: Idol Couples Take the Spotlight
From 2016, Dispatch began revealing more idol couples, including JYJ’s Junsu and EXID’s Hani, G-Dragon and former After School member Lee Joo Yeon, and EXO’s Kai and BLACKPINK’s Jennie. While G-Dragon maintained that his private life was off-limits, the other couples acknowledged their relationships publicly. However, Junsu and Hani broke up after a year, and Kai and Jennie ended their relationship less than a month after confirming it.
2021: Son Ye Jin & Hyun Bin
The beginning of 2021 was heated up by the dating revelation of actors Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin, co-stars from the drama” Crash Landing on You.” Their romance blossomed off-screen, and the couple tied the knot in March 2022. They are now proud parents to a son, and Hyun Bin recently showcased his devotion to his family by penning a heartfelt video message to Son Ye Jin and their child during an appearance on tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block.”
2022: T-ara’s Hyomin & Soccer Player Hwang Ui Jo
In 2022, Dispatch revealed the relationship between T-ara’s Hyomin and soccer player Hwang Ui Jo. However, the couple announced their breakup just three months later.
2023: IU & Lee Jong Suk
The most recent New Year’s Day revelation was IU and Lee Jong Suk in 2023. The couple’s story delighted fans, as their relationship blossomed a decade after they first met while hosting SBS’s Inkigayo. The two continue their relationship and have made headlines for their shared philanthropy, donating generously at the end of the year.
2025: A Year Without Scandal?
As January 1 approaches, speculation is rife about who the next New Year’s Day couple might be. However, with the current climate of political chaos following impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Seok Yeol and Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, as well as the tragic Jeju Air crash on December 29, some predict that Dispatch may forgo its annual tradition this year.
Amid the continuing turmoil, many hope the new year will bring brighter days, with the rising sun on January 1 symbolizing the dawn of hope and healing.
