Lee Min-ho and Park Min-young love story: Why did their romance end in silence and 'embarrassment'?

For those who lived through the early 2000s of South Korean television drama, they would remember Lee Min-ho and Park Min-young’s brief, but famous relationship. It all began with their show, City Hunter, where their on-screen chemistry quickly blossomed into a real-life romance. Fans were delighted to see the two stars, known for their strong performances, become a couple.

However, the demands of their busy careers soon made it challenging to nurture their relationship. With Min-ho juggling overseas projects and numerous commercials, and Min-young immersed in her role for KBS’s Glorious Jane, the couple found it increasingly difficult to spend time together.

Despite the excitement surrounding their romance, the two quietly parted ways months ago but chose to keep the news private. Min-young’s agency explained, she was hesitant to announce the breakup publicly, not wanting to create awkward situations for their agencies. With her hectic filming schedule and Lee Min Ho’s commitments abroad, they simply struggled to find moments to connect.

The end of their relationship became more apparent when the two stars attended separate year-end drama awards—Lee Min-ho at the SBS Drama Awards and Min-young at the KBS Drama Awards—giving fans a glimpse of the distance between them. According to Soompi, the statement read, ““It’s been a while since they saw each other. It was really embarrassing for her to just go and reveal their break-up, and she didn’t want to put her agency in a sticky situation. So, she held the news a little longer”.

Though the news of their breakup was officially confirmed in January 2012, Min-ho’s agency initially remained silent, awaiting confirmation from the actor himself. Meanwhile, Min-young focused on her career and well-being, gracefully navigating the challenges of both her professional and personal life.