Lee Jong-suk Makes a Romantic Comeback—And It’s Not with IU

Recently, IU and Lee Jong-suk made headlines after IU was spotted dining with BTS’s V on her birthday, sparking a wave of speculation about the couple’s relationship status. Fans quickly took to social media with breakup theories. However, Lee Jong-suk’s quiet Instagram update on the 22nd subtly put those rumors to rest.

The actor is set to make a bold return to the small screen—and he’s doing so alongside Moon Ga-young in the upcoming tvN weekend drama Law and the City (Korean title: Seocho-dong), dispelling recent breakup rumors surrounding his relationship with singer-actress IU.

On May 22, new stills and cast updates for Law and the City were released, offering fans a first look at the high-energy ensemble cast and its fresh legal drama concept. The series, written by real-life attorney Lee Seung-hyun and directed by Park Seung-woo, follows the lives of five young associate attorneys navigating the cutthroat world of Seoul’s Seocho-dong legal district.

Lee Jong-suk plays Ahn Joo-hyung, the most senior of the associates, known for his calm demeanor and razor-sharp intellect. In contrast, Moon Ga-young takes on the role of Kang Hee-ji, a passionate and idealistic first-year lawyer. Their characters are poised to deliver compelling chemistry as they tackle chaotic clients, legal twists, and long nights under the office lights—both literally and emotionally.

New behind-the-scenes photos from the cast’s script reading showcase the synergy between the actors. Lee embodied his character with a cool, composed tone, effortlessly fielding lines and embodying Ahn Joo-hyung’s seasoned brilliance. Meanwhile, Moon Ga-young delivered Hee-ji’s ambition and warmth through intense eye contact and heartfelt delivery, capturing the essence of a rookie lawyer with something to prove.

Joining them are:

Kang You-seok (who recently rose to fame in tvN's Resident Playbook) as Jo Chang-won, the bubbly, fast-talking chatterbox of the group who injects humor into every meal.

Ryu Hye-young as Bae Moon-jung, the strong-willed de facto leader of the team, whose confidence and comedic timing make her a standout.

Lim Sung-jae as Ha Sang-ki, a soft-spoken individualist who shifts effortlessly between work mode and friend mode, offering a realistic portrayal of work-life duality.

Together, the five form a group affectionately dubbed the “Law-vengers” (a mash-up of Avengers + lawyers), blending legal drama with quirky slice-of-life moments—especially during their chaotic, stress-relieving lunch sessions.

The drama is scheduled to premiere this July on tvN.

Meanwhile, Lee Jong-suk continues to make headlines in his personal life. Since publicly confirming his relationship with IU in December 2022, the couple has remained relatively low-key. Recently, breakup rumors surfaced after IU was spotted with BTS’s V, one of her longtime friends. However, those rumors were quickly dismissed as nothing more than speculation, and the incident is now regarded as a harmless misunderstanding.

With Law and the City on the horizon and his personal life seemingly stable, Lee Jong-suk is poised to re-cement his status as one of Korea’s most compelling leading men—both on and off screen.

Get the latest on K-pop & K-drama here!