K-drama fans are a loyal bunch, but the obsession with Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk is something else entirely. It’s been nearly nine years since they officially called it quits, yet if you scroll through TikTok or X today, you'll still find "shipping" edits with millions of views. Why? Because some things are just hard to let go of.
Honestly, their relationship was the ultimate "friends-to-lovers" trope come to life. They weren't just two actors playing a part; they were two models who grew up in the industry together, shared the same agency (YG at the time), and eventually fell in love while filming a cult classic.
But where are they now? It’s 2026, and while the nostalgia is high, their lives have moved in very different directions.
The Weightlifting Fairy Era and Why It Stuck
We have to talk about Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo. If you haven't seen it, you’re basically missing out on the blueprint for K-drama chemistry. Lee Sung Kyung played the awkward, lovable weightlifter Bok-joo, and Nam Joo Hyuk was the playful swimmer Joon-hyung.
The chemistry was so electric that when Dispatch dropped those photos of them in bucket hats and baggy hoodies back in April 2017, nobody was actually surprised. Fans were just relieved. It felt earned.
They had been friends for over a decade. They started as models. They even worked together on Cheese in the Trap before getting their lead roles. When YG Entertainment confirmed they were dating, it felt like the world finally made sense for a second.
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The Breakup That Broke the Internet
Then came August 2017. Only four months after going public, they announced their split.
The official reason? "Busy schedules."
Kinda the standard PR answer, right? People speculated for years. Was it the pressure of being a "power couple"? Was it Nam Joo Hyuk’s rising fame after Bride of Habaek? The truth is, we’ll probably never know the messy details because they’ve both been incredibly professional about it. They stayed "supportive senior and junior" colleagues, which is basically industry-speak for we're cool, please stop asking.
Where is Nam Joo Hyuk in 2026?
If you've been keeping up, you know he had a big "comeback" moment recently. After enlisting in the military in 2023, he’s officially back in the spotlight.
Nam Joo Hyuk is currently headlining the 2026 Netflix series East Palace. It’s a massive shift from his "soft boy" image. He plays Gu Cheon, a gritty ghost hunter in the Joseon era. It’s dark, it’s supernatural, and it proves he’s moved far beyond the "swimmer" roles that made him famous.
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He’s also been linked to major fashion houses, continuing his dominance as a global brand ambassador. He’s matured. You can see it in his face and his choice of scripts. He isn't the 23rd-birthday-boy we saw in those old Instagram posts anymore.
Lee Sung Kyung: The Industry Chameleon
Lee Sung Kyung is basically the "It Girl" who never left. Since the breakup, she has avoided major public dating scandals, focusing almost entirely on her craft and her musical talents.
She’s recently been making waves in the musical theater world, fulfilling a long-term dream by starring in Aladdin.
In the K-drama world, she’s become a staple for complex, high-stakes roles. Think Dr. Romantic 2 and 3 or the revenge drama Call It Love. She’s under a new agency now (Fantagio), and her profile photos reflect a more refined, elegant vibe. She’s not just the quirky girl with the short hair anymore; she’s a powerhouse.
What Most People Get Wrong About Them
There's this persistent rumor that they secretly got back together. People look for "lovestagram" clues—a similar looking plant in the background of a photo or a specific brand of sneakers.
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Let's be real: as of 2026, there is zero evidence that they are dating.
The reason people still link them isn't because of current events; it's because they represent a specific era of Hallyu that felt more "real." They were the peak of the model-turned-actor trend. Seeing them together was like seeing your two best friends finally figure it out.
Can they ever work together again?
The "reunion" rumors spark every couple of years. Back in 2022, there was a huge buzz that they’d both star in the drama Vigilante (Nam Joo Hyuk eventually did, but Lee Sung Kyung wasn't in the cast).
In the Korean entertainment industry, it’s actually pretty rare for high-profile exes to lead a drama together. It happens (look at Choi Woo-shik and Kim Da-mi), but for Lee Sung Kyung and Nam Joo Hyuk, the shadow of their past relationship might still be a bit too heavy for producers to risk the distraction.
Staying a Fan in 2026: Actionable Insights
If you're still a "NamLee" shipper, here's the best way to support them without getting caught up in fake news:
- Follow their individual projects: Nam Joo Hyuk's East Palace on Netflix and Lee Sung Kyung's upcoming romantic projects under Fantagio are where their energy is.
- Separate the characters from the actors: It’s okay to love Bok-joo and Joon-hyung without demanding the real-life humans change their lives for us.
- Check the sources: Before clicking on a "THEY ARE BACK TOGETHER" video, check if it's from a reputable outlet like Dispatch or their official agencies. 2026 is full of AI-generated clickbait.
They’ve both built incredible careers independently. Maybe that's the best ending we could have asked for.
To stay updated on their actual schedules, you can follow Nam Joo Hyuk’s latest series on Netflix and keep an eye on Lee Sung Kyung’s official Fantagio profile for her next theater or drama dates.