Lee Jong-suk’s new drama sparks buzz amidst breakup rumors with IU

Lee Jong-suk is back on TV, and, like clockwork, the internet can't stop talking. Not just about his new drama, which already looks like a hit in the making, but about his relationship with IU too.

The timing couldn’t be more classic K-entertainment: just as promos for his legal series Law and the City start rolling out, rumors about a possible breakup with IU catch fire online. The trigger? IU was seen out with V of BTS, and that was all it took for fans and gossip pages to jump to conclusions.

Meanwhile, Lee Jong-suk is doing what he does best, keeping quiet and letting the work speak. His return comes nearly three years after Big Mouth, and this time he’s playing a sharp, cool-headed lawyer navigating the chaos of Seoul’s legal scene.

Script reading pics are already making the rounds, and fans are loving the vibe. But let’s be honest, with the drama heating up and the rumors swirling, all eyes are on him for more than just the plot.

Lee Jong-suk and IU: The relationship that never leaves the headlines

When Lee Jong-suk and IU confirmed they were dating back in December 2022, it felt like K-entertainment had collectively stopped to catch its breath. It wasn’t just a case of two celebrities getting together; it was them: a top actor known for his quiet, thoughtful vibe and one of Korea’s most beloved singer-songwriters, whose image somehow balances mass appeal with total mystery.

Fans were surprised, yes, but mostly supportive. The two had been friends for years, and the way they talked about each other, subtle, respectful, and genuine, only added to the charm.

Since then, their relationship hasn’t exactly played out in the open, but it’s never been out of sight either. Lee Jong-suk thanked IU during an awards speech. IU was spotted cheering at one of his filming locations. Every little gesture turned into a headline.

In a media landscape where idols and actors are often pressured to keep things secret, their quiet confirmation felt almost revolutionary. That’s part of why people care so much. They’re rare proof that a relationship in the spotlight can exist without becoming a circus.

And now, after IU recently starred alongside V of BTS in the music video for her single Love Wins All, the narrative machine kicked back into gear. Suddenly, questions about her status with Lee Jong-suk flooded online forums, trending topics, and gossip columns.

It doesn’t take much to start a storm, especially when you’re two of the most recognizable faces in Korea. And in Lee Jong-suk’s case, that kind of storm always threatens to overshadow whatever project he’s working on.

When a dinner turns into a tabloid frenzy

It started with a dinner. IU and V of BTS were seen leaving a high-end restaurant in Seoul, and that was all it took. The photos spread fast. No official context, no comments from either side, just two of Korea’s biggest stars in the same place at the same time. Within hours, online forums lit up with speculation. Was something going on between them? Had IU and Lee Jong-suk broken up?

Of course, IU and V had already worked together on the music video for her single Love Wins All earlier in 2024. Their chemistry in the MV had sparked buzz back then, but that was just performance.

This time, it felt different. These weren’t behind-the-scenes photos or press events. This was a casual dinner, no cameras, no stylists, just two people hanging out. And for many fans, that was enough to start jumping to conclusions.

The reaction was instant. Gossip sites ran with it, TikTok edits showed up in minutes, and hashtags combining their names climbed trending lists. But even as the noise got louder, sources close to IU and Lee Jong-suk were quick to shut it down. According to insiders, nothing had changed. They were still together, still private, still keeping their relationship out of the headlines. Or trying to.

Trying to focus when the spotlight won’t budge

For most actors, landing a lead role in a major TV comeback would be the headline. But when you’re Lee Jong-suk—and you might remember him as the male lead from Romance is a Bonus Book—even your silence makes news.

With Law and the City set to premiere in July, this should be a moment centered on the project. A mature, tightly written legal drama backed by a strong cast and a script from a real-life lawyer. Instead, a good portion of the buzz has been about something else entirely. His relationship. Or the internet’s idea of it.

It’s not the first time. Every time he’s back in the spotlight, the questions resurface. Who’s he dating? Are they still together? Is he okay? And while the public curiosity is almost inevitable at this point, it pulls attention away from what he's actually trying to do: tell a story, embody a character, and deliver a performance that reminds everyone why he’s one of Korea’s most respected actors.

Still, if he’s bothered, he’s not showing it. Photos and the video from the script reading show him focused and composed, giving nothing away. No flashy statements. No interviews addressing gossip. Just work. It’s the same steady energy he’s bringing to the screen, playing a calm, methodical lawyer in the middle of Seoul’s legal chaos. Whether in front of a camera or surrounded by rumors, Lee Jong-suk always finds a way to stay centered.

Law and the City: a sharp return to form

Law and the City is not flashy. There are no gangsters, no courtroom stunts, and no last-minute confessions. What it offers instead is something more grounded, a look at five associate lawyers trying to survive the grind of Seoul’s most competitive legal district.

The drama follows their daily lives in Seocho-dong, balancing endless case files, quiet ambitions, and the occasional moral crisis. It’s slower-paced, character-driven, and deeply rooted in the kind of realism that often gets pushed aside in favor of drama for drama’s sake.

Lee Jong-suk plays Ahn Joo-hyung, a lawyer who isn’t flashy or cocky but sharp in a quiet, unsettling way. He’s logical, strategic, and not easily rattled. The kind of guy who doesn’t waste words and definitely doesn’t play to the crowd. It’s the kind of role that lets Lee do what he does best, build tension through stillness and pull focus with the smallest shift in expression.

The cast around him adds weight. Moon Ga-young, Kang You-seok, Ryu Hye-young, and Im Seong-jae round out the ensemble, each playing a different kind of young lawyer.

It helps that the drama was written by Lee Seung-hyun, a practicing lawyer, and directed by Park Seung-woo, known for shows like Kairos and W. There’s a sense that this isn’t just another legal series; it’s one that might actually get it right.

Final thoughts: spotlight, stories and staying steady

Lee Jong-suk didn’t ask for all this noise. He came back with what is set to be a solid drama, a good script, a sharp cast, and a role that fits him like a glove. But in the world of Korean entertainment, where personal lives are public property and gossip spreads faster than official press releases, that kind of clean return is almost impossible.

The buzz around his relationship with IU might fade, or it might flare up again the next time she’s seen in public. That’s the game, and by now he knows how it works.

What matters is that when the cameras start rolling in Law and the City, the focus will shift back to where it should be. On the performance. On the work. On the reason he was a household name long before his dating life became clickbait.

For fans, this drama is more than just a comeback. It’s a reminder of what Lee Jong-suk brings to the screen: precision, restraint, and the kind of presence that doesn’t need to be loud to be heard. And for everyone watching the headlines, it’s also a quiet lesson in how to move forward when the spotlight won’t move with you.