5 Korean star couples who broke fandoms for better or worse: Song Joong-ki, Song Hye-kyo to Hyun Bin-Son Ye Jin

Ready for some K-drama romance that spilled way beyond the screen? These 5 Korean star couples set fandoms on fire, sparked fierce fan wars, and left us all glued to the drama off-screen as much as on it. From the Song Joong-Ki and Song Hye-kyo heartbreak to the real-life fairytale of Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin, these couples redefined what it means to make or break fandoms—for better or worse.

No list is complete without them—in fact, it has to start with them. Their chemistry in Crash Landing on You was so consuming, it spilled over into real life, and now they’re married with a child. But with K-Drama’s unwritten rule of rarely reuniting pairs, it’s anyone’s guess when we’ll see them on screen again. For now, we’ll just have to make do with Instagram updates.

This one still stings for Song-song fans. The couple had us hooked on Descendants of the Sun, and theirtruck love confession—“You can take it as my confession”—remains one of the most memorable moments in K-drama history. They married in real life but later separated, leaving heartbreak that fans have never fully gotten over, with many taking sides and even throwing shade, dragging Song Hye-kyo’s Encounter co-star Park Bo-gum into the drama—though the truth remains unclear. Even though Song Joong-ki is now happily married, fans keep returning to DOTS for comfort and nostalgia.

Their brief but headline-grabbing romance was a masterclass in ‘power couple’ vibes—before life, but their schedules got in the way.

This couple made and broke several fandoms. Ryu Jun-yeol had dated Hyeri for years before they broke up, and several months later, he and Han So-hee began a relationship. This sparked a bitter feud between fandoms, with Hyeri’s fans accusing So-hee of being a homewrecker. In response, So-hee posted multiple messages to clear the air and address the controversy. However later, So-hee and Jun-yeol split too.

IU and Lee Jong-suk: Since they went public with their relationship in 2023, IU and Lee Jong-suk have kept things relatively low-key, but their fandom is nothing short of fierce. Their fans are incredibly protective, so much so that some have even taken jabs at BTS’s V over his close friendship with IU—fearing it might cause a rift between the couple. While the fan drama makes headlines, IU and Lee Jong-suk themselves seem unfazed, quietly enjoying their relationship away from the spotlight. With their strong bond and shared dedication to their careers, it looks like this duo is here to stay.