Rumors have recently emerged surrounding the breakup of Lee Chan-hyuk from the popular duo AKMU and Lee Sae-rom from girl group fromis_9, following approximately two years of speculation about their relationship. Reports surfaced on October 21, 2023, indicating the pair may have ended their romantic involvement after about one year of dating. Initially, they were seen together back in October 2022, which sparked relationship rumors fueled by social media posts and sightings at various locations across the metropolitan area of Seoul.
According to multiple entertainment industry sources, Chan-hyuk and Sae-rom were involved romantically but did not publicly confirm their relationship. Their rumored romance became apparent when they were spotted wearing matching rings and sharing photos from identical locations on social media. Despite the mounting evidence, both singers' agencies, YG Entertainment and Pledis Entertainment, remained tight-lipped. YG Entertainment commented, "We cannot confirm the personal lives of the artists," maintaining silence on the breakup rumors.
On the other hand, Pledis Entertainment stated previously about their relationship, "It's difficult to confirm as it is part of private life," reiteration of their hands-off policy on the singers' personal matters. Sources indicate they continued to meet privately after the initial rumors but chose to end things sometime last year.
Lee Chan-hyuk, who debuted with AKMU back in 2014, has produced many hits, including "200%" and "How Can I Love the Heartbreak, You're the One I Love." And most recently, last June, he released the group’s third mini-album titled "Love Episode." Following his service in the Marine Corps, he resumed his activities with the duo, which helped them gain significant acclaim within the K-pop industry.
Conversely, Lee Sae-rom debuted with fromis_9 after participating in the 2017 Mnet program "Idol School." The group disbanded after their contract with Pledis Entertainment ended on December 31, 2022. They released the special single "From" prior to their disbandment but have not announced future plans as a full group post-contract.
The private nature of their relationship and its conclusion crosses paths with the care both artists have shown about maintaining distinctions between personal and professional lives. This situation has sparked discussions among fans about the challenges artists face balancing their public personas with personal relationships under the scrutiny of the media.
Despite their individual career trajectories, either artist has not shied away from solidifying their footing within the K-pop industry. Their nuanced approaches to romance and relationship disclosures reflect larger trends present among artists today. With the news of their rumored breakup, fans can only respect the duo’s privacy and continue supporting their musical endeavors, hoping for future collaborations or solo performances.
Is this the end for the rumored couple, or might they find ways to work together on artistic fronts? Time will tell, but for now, the focus shifts back to their impressive careers, where both Lee Chan-hyuk and Lee Sae-rom are set to navigate their paths independently.