Actors Lee Dong-hwi and Jung Ho-yeon / Newsis

Actors Lee Dong-hwi, 39, and Jung Ho-yeon, 30, known as one of the entertainment industry's longest-standing couples, have officially parted ways after nine years of dating.

Both Lee's agency, Company On, and Jung's agency, Saram Entertainment, confirmed the split, saying, "Lee Dong-hwi and Jung Ho-yeon have decided to return to being good colleagues."

The couple began dating publicly in 2016, making their recent breakup a notable end to their long-term relationship.

Despite their separation, the two shared a strong bond over the years. Even after rising to global fame for her role as Kang Sae-byeok, a North Korean defector, in Netflix's hit series "Squid Game" (2021), Jung often openly expressed her affection for Lee at public events.

Similarly, Lee mentioned her during an episode of the ENA variety show "Kwak Jun-bin's World Taxi Restaurant 2" in August. While riding in a taxi in the U.S., Lee told the driver, "Do you know 'Squid Game'? Sae-byeok is my girlfriend and my best friend."

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."

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.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.