Actor Jung Sung Il, best known for his breakout role as Ha Do Young in Netflix’s The Glory, has divorced his wife after nine years of marriage. His agency, XYG Studio, confirmed the news on the morning of October 14.
The agency released a brief statement asking for privacy and understanding during this time.
Jung Sung Il and His Wife Part Ways
In its official press release, XYG Studio stated,
After long and careful consideration over an extended period, Jung Sung Il and his spouse have decided to bring their marriage to an end. This decision was made through mutual agreement and not due to any party’s fault, and we respectfully request that there be no distorted or speculative reports regarding this matter.
Although their legal relationship has come to an end, they will continue to support each other and co-parent their child together.
The agency further explained that,
Although their legal relationship has come to an end, they continue to support each other on their respective paths and are sincerely committed to co-parenting their child together.
A Love Story Once Straight Out of a K-Drama
Jung Sun Il’s marriage had long been admired by fans for its romantic, almost cinematic story — something he once described himself on tvN’s You Quiz on the Block. He met his now ex-wife in his early twenties, but their relationship took an unconventional turn when she left to study abroad in the U.S.
For three years, they kept their relationship alive through emails and late-night phone calls. It was practically a long-distance “cyber love” story that host Yoo Jae Suk once jokingly said sounded like a K-drama plot. After she returned to Korea, they dated in person for another three years before eventually breaking up and losing contact for nearly eight years.
Fate, however, brought them back together in an unexpected way. Jung Sung Il later discovered that his ex-girlfriend had quietly kept in touch with his mother and had even helped care for her during an illness. Touched by her kindness, they reconnected — and within just three months, they decided to marry. The couple tied the knot in 2016 and welcomed their son the following year.
Jung Sung Il’s Acting Journey So Far
Before finding fame, Jung Sung Il spent years working quietly in the industry. He began his career in theater and took on small film roles, often juggling part-time jobs to make ends meet. Even after The Glory became a global hit, Jung humbly shared that he continued doing delivery work because acting alone didn’t pay enough.
Everything changed for the late-blooming actor after The Glory. His performance as the calm, conflicted husband of Park Yeon Jin (played by Lim Ji Yeon) earned him critical acclaim.
Despite his recent personal challenges, Jung Sung Il remains focused on his career. He recently appeared in the film Murder Report, released in September , alongside actress Cho Yeo Jeong. He is also gearing up for the premiere of his upcoming Disney+ series Made in Korea, where he plays Cheon Seok Joong, a powerful chief of staff caught in political and emotional struggles.