When it was learned that Korea's Power Couple Lee Byung Hun and Lee Min Jung were both in the U.S., people assumed that they were on a sort of pre-honeymoon.
Lee Byung Hun's agency denied reports that the newly engaged actors were on any kind of vacation, saying that he was in the U.S. on business. The veteran Korean actor is making a name for himself in Hollywood. Lee recently appeared in two American films, "Red 2" and "G.I. Joe Retaliation." He is in Los Angeles to talk about promoting a new film "Red, The Legend."
No return date has yet been decided and there is no word as to why Lee Min Jung is in the U.S., whether she is on personal business or discussing future projects. Although she has earned praise for her work in dramas and films, she has not yet starred in any foreign productions. She could be there for business or she might just be there so they can make wedding plans, which is harder to do long distance.
The couple briefly dated when they first met in 2006 but broke up because of their conflicting schedules. He was an established actor and she a rookie actress. He did not want to interfere with her developing career.
After Lee Byung Hun appeared in "G.I. Joe," the couple began dating again and worked hard to mesh their schedules. They tried to meet up as often as they could but sometimes they were even in the same foreign country and couldn't coordinate their agendas.
For example, they were both recently in Japan, he for "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" promotions and she to visit friends, but they could only manage to speak on the phone.
He joked that news articles would assume they were together when in fact they were in different parts of the country.
"There were also rumors that we traveled to the U.S. together in the past but even then we could not spend any time together," said Lee Min Jung. "I went to New York for a photo shoot and he had to go to Canada to film "Red 2." He couldn't find a direct flight so he had to come to New York. We only met at the airport."
He's been busy filming overseas for the last year and Lee Min Jung was busy filming her drama, "All About My Romance." He was so overbooked that he could not even properly propose to her. It just seemed like a good idea that they should marry and she caught the bouquet at a friend's wedding. But she is not complaining.
Such is the life of working actors and neither of them plans to slow down once they marry. Lee Min Jung is grateful that her fiancée takes her career so seriously.
"I will probably get a new project this year," she said. "We are getting married but we will continue to pursue our careers.
The couple plans to marry on August 10 in Seoul.