Actor Lee Dong-gun sparks dating rumors with Kang Hae-rim after divorce
Lee Dong-gun, left, and Kang Hae-rim / Xportsnews
Actor Lee Dong-gun is reportedly dating Kang Hae-rim.
On Thursday, Kang Hae-rim’s agency told Xportsnews, “We cannot confirm details about the actor’s personal life.”
Reports surfaced on Wednesday claiming that Lee Dong-gun and a woman were seen enjoying a casual date. According to eyewitness accounts, Lee was dressed casually with a cap, and he was seen putting his arm around the woman’s waist and shoulders and holding her hand.
The next day, on Thursday, it was revealed that the woman is Kang Hae-rim, who is 16 years younger than Lee.
Kang Hae-rim debuted in 2017 with the web drama “Idol Fever,” and later appeared in KBS Joy’s “Love Interference” Seasons 2 and 3 as a reenactment actor. Her credits include the dramas “Live On” and “Somebody” and the film “Lobby.”
Reports stated that Lee and Kang were spotted on multiple occasions enjoying dates in Seoul’s Gangnam District without attempting to hide their relationship. Some industry insiders are reportedly aware of the relationship.
However, both Lee Dong-gun and Kang Hae-rim’s representatives declined to comment on the dating rumors.
Lee Dong-gun previously married actress Jo Yoon-hee in 2017, and they had a daughter, Roa. The couple divorced in 2020 after three years of marriage. Lee recently opened a cafe in Aewol Town, Jeju City.
Lee Dong-gun / Captured from SBS
In January last year, Lee appeared on SBS’s “My Little Old Boy“ with Kim Jun-ho, where they visited a fortune teller to discuss Lee’s future prospects for 2024. The fortune teller said, “In 2024, there will be both a benefactor and a romantic partner. But women are not good for you overall. It seems you aren’t thinking about marriage right now, and you treat women like stones.”
The fortune teller continued, “You’ll have a chance at marriage after age 50. You should meet a woman in business, not an entertainer. If you marry an entertainer, you’ll end up divorcing four or five times. A businesswoman will come into your life in your 50s. She might have been married before, but it would be good for you to meet her. I see a precious son in your future.”
Lee Dong-gun / Captured from SBS
Six months later, in July, Lee spoke with Goo Bon-seung about his love life and said, “It’s been a while since I dated. My child is still young.”
Lee also shared that his daughter is not yet old enough to fully understand the reality of her parents’ divorce, saying, “If I were to start a new relationship during this period, I think that would be the wrong thing to do.”
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.