In the first week of 2016, the k-celeb world has seen the birth of three celebrity couples. Comedian Jang Dong Min confessed to dating singer Navi as the new year turned. Around the same time JYJ's Kim Junsu was revealed to be dating EXID's Hani.
And on January 6 actor Lee Dong Hwi, who plays Dong Ryong on "Reply 1988" confessed that he is dating model Jung Ho Yeon.
According to the Korean media outlet Naver TV, the couple has been dating for a few months and they are not shy about letting others know about their relationship.Their relationship has been described as an open secret in the acting and modeling industries.
The actor's agency, Shim Entertainment, confirmed the relationship.
"After checking in personally with everyone involved, it is true that Lee Dong Hwi and Jung Ho Yeon are dating," the Shim Entertainment representative told Naver TV. "He did not want to lie about his personal life. As it is his personal life, we don't know the details but the relationship is going well. Please watch over them."
The 30-year-old actor appears in the latest "Reply" series, "Reply 1988." He plays the nerdiest member of the group of neighborhood boys that hangs around with Hyeri's Sung Deok Sun.
It's Lee's third drama, as he also appeared in "Divorce Lawyers in Love" and "The Joseon Gunman," but he has done quite a few films in the last five years. He appeared in "Dorihwaga" with Suzy Bae and had roles in "The Beauty Inside," "Veteran," "Tazza: The Hidden Card" and "Fashion King," to name a few.
Jung Ho Yeon appeared in the Onstyle program "Supermodel Korea 4" and will soon appear on "Devil's Runway." The fashion magazine Vogue called her a "redheaded stunner." The 22-year-old began modeling six years ago and had her break after competing on "Korea's Next Top Model," placing second in the competition.