Actor reveals romance with idol singer

Actor Lee Dong-gun and singer Jiyeon from idol girl band T-ARA have admitted their relationship.

Insiders from MBK Entertainment and FNC Entertainment, the management companies of Jiyeon and Lee, respectively, said on Saturday the stars became a couple after spending a month together on a cruise ferry working on the movie “Reunion,” co-produced by Korea and China.

Jiyeon, 22, starts her new role as a host for live music show “The Show: Season 4” on SBS MTV on Tuesday evening. It is her first public appearance since the romance was revealed.

Media reports on Tuesday quoted the singer as saying Lee, 35, “is kind and takes care of me well.” She said she felt a little awkward admitting the romance because it was her first open relationship since debuting with the band in 2009.