Dating rumors between K-pop’s sweetheart IU and BTS’ V (Kim Taehyung) have once again taken the internet by storm. While the idol actress has been in a public relationship with actor Lee Jong Suk for nearly three years, her recent outing with V has fueled dating rumors.
Photos of them at a restaurant sent the internet into a frenzy, with some believing they’re dating and others claiming it’s just a friendly gathering.
IU and BTS V Dating Rumors
IU and V dating rumors emerged when they were spotted dining at a luxurious hotel, MOSU, in Seoul on May 15. The “Love Me Again” singer was photographed dining at a restaurant with an unidentified woman on May 15, one day before IU’s birthday (May 16). In the image, he is visibly seated at the table while the female companion, whose face was not shown, wore a bucket hat and a checkered shirt.
Netizens have noted that these clothing items match pieces frequently worn by the “When Life Gives You Tangerines” actress in public appearances. The timing of the meal suggests that they may have been celebrating her birthday.
However, it turns out they weren’t alone – 2AM’s Lim Seulong and another woman were also present. It suggests a friendly gathering rather than a romantic date.
The two have been close since collaborating on IU’s music video “Love Wins All” in January 2024, where they played a tragic couple. Fans have been shipping them since then, especially after V attended her encore concert in September 2024.
IU’s agency, EDAM Entertainment, has not addressed the rumors, whereas BTS’s agency, BIGHIT MUSIC, typically avoids commenting on the artists’ lives unless necessary.
Given their history of keeping their relationships private, it’s unlikely they’d appear in public without covering their face if they were on a date. It’s more plausible that V is just a close friend and they met for a casual meal together.
IU and V Current Relationship Status
Putting aside the rumors, IU has been publicly dating popular actor Lee Jong Suk since December 31, 2022. While they have been colleagues and friends since 2012, their friendship blossomed into romance around August or September 2022.
Since last year, IU and Lee Jong Suk breakup rumors have surfaced multiple times, which were neither denied nor confirmed by either side. Their Breakup rumors were quashed when Lee showed up to support his girlfriend on the opening night of IU’s world tour “HEREH” in March 2024. The “Love Wins All” is an extremely private person, and rarely (almost NEVER) gives a glimpse into her personal life.
On the other hand, V was romantically linked to BLACKPINK member Jennie for a long while. Their alleged Paris date in 2023 broke the internet, however, it was reported that the two broke up before V’s military enlistment in December 2023.
Fan Reaction
While shippers are happy to see them together, other fans believe their outing was blown way out of proportion.
“God forbid a woman has friends.”
“She has a boyfriend… Also women can be friends with men doesn’t mean that they’re datin.g”
“But ARMY likes IU more than Jennie.”
“KTH is a very social person so he is friends with almost everybody.”
“She has an album coming out, maybe a collab.”
“Looks like a double dat.e”
On the Work front, IU will release her third remake album “Flower Bookmark 3” on May 27, with Cha Eunwoo starring in the music video. V will complete his military duties on June 10 and will continue entertainment activities.
