In a post on her fan cafe Uaena, singer and actress IU confessed that she has been dating singer-actor Jang Ki Ha for the past two years.
"You must be shocked," she wrote, "but thank you all for asking if I am okay.
IU wrote that she was waiting for the right time to let her fans know that she was dating. But before she felt the time was right, the Korean media outlet Dispatch broke the news, publishing photos of the couple together.
"I was thinking of a good way to tell my fans about my relationship, but Dispatch caught the ball before it bounced," said IU.
The couple met when she was a guest on his radio program and she says that it was love at first sight.
"I fell for him immediately after meeting him for the first time through a radio show. He is a boyfriend whom I have a lot to learn from and I am thankful for that. We are dating like any other couple, having good times, fighting, getting disappointed, and feeling thankful."
IU is 22. Jang Ki Ha is 33. But despite an 11-year age difference, the couple connected through their love of music.
Dispatch followed the couple for weeks, noting that they made time to see each other despite their busy schedules. IU saw Jang Ki Na after returning from Shanghai on August 30. After returning from Hong Kong on September 7, she also went to see him. Jang Ki Ha, who is the leader of the indie rock band Jang Ki Ha and the Faces, lives in the Mapo District. IU lives in the Yongsan District of Seoul. They mostly spent time together at each other's homes or went on dates in his car. When they went out in public they wore masks.
After Dispatch broke the news, her agency Loen Entertainment confirmed the relationship with an official statement.
"The two people are currently dating after developing feelings for each other while exchanging dicussions about music as colleagues beginning two years ago."
The agency asked for the public's support so that the couple can comfortably continue to date.
IU said that she was surprised to suddenly find herself in a public relationship and thanked her fans for their support.
"Haha, it's sudden, but I think I've got to start a public relationship. Even if we pretend not to notice, this space will be a little awkward for a while, right? I am sorry for making this happy, bustling, and cute space that way. I am so thankful to our Uaena who worried about me first despite that. I am thankful and sorry for all the worries, support, and disappointment."
"Although I've played this out in my head thousands of times, I don't know what to do. First, I will just keeping going about my work bravely. I hope your day is not hard today because of me, and I will come back here soon."
IU, who recently appeared in the drama "Producer," is working on a new album. Jang Ki Ha is preparing for a tour. Jang Ki Ha debuted in 2008 with the song "Cheap Coffee." He made his acting debut in the 2013 drama "Potato Star 2013QR3." He has served as the host of Ki Ha Chang's Great Radio broadcast since 2012.
