South Korean actress Lee Ju-yeon (이주연), a former member of the girl group After School, gained pre-debut fame online for her striking visuals, earning her the nickname "ulzzang" (best face). This attention led to her discovery by a talent scout and her entry into the entertainment industry. Her romantic life has also garnered significant public interest, particularly her rumored relationship with G-Dragon (권지용) of BIGBANG. Between 2016 and 2019, four dating rumors involving the two surfaced. In April 2025, social media activity once again sparked speculation about a potential rekindling of their romance, bringing the topic back into discussion.
Lee Ju-yeon recently shared her everyday life picnicking by the Han River on her personal YouTube channel. Unexpectedly, while discussing her past girl group days, she openly admitted to having gone on multiple dates by the Han River during her time with After School. This accidental revelation about her dating experiences as an idol has brought her past rumors with G-Dragon back into the spotlight.
On May 12, Lee Ju-yeon uploaded a new video to her YouTube channel, "이주의 주연" (Joo-yeon's Week), titled "Want to have a simple yet special Han River food picnic with me?" In the video, she prepared homemade rice ball burgers and set off to the Han River for a picnic. She mentioned it had been a long time since she last drove, prompting her staff to check the car's condition. Noticing scratches all over the vehicle, the staff expressed concern, asking, "Is it really okay like this?" Lee Ju-yeon, however, calmly replied that despite the scratches, she hadn't repaired them yet and planned to address them all at once later, seemingly unbothered.
She then revealed that she usually wears glasses when driving but had forgotten them this time, further increasing the staff's anxiety. Despite their worries, Lee Ju-yeon casually reassured everyone, saying, "You don't need to worry," showcasing her usual easygoing personality.
During the drive, a staff member asked if she frequently visited the Han River during her After School activities. Lee Ju-yeon responded without hesitation, candidly stating, "I came to the Han River often back then, and I went on many dates. I've had those experiences too." She openly admitted to dating by the Han River during her idol period.
She added, "That was a long time ago, and there weren't many places to go back then." Speaking about her current life, she noted that she now enjoys much more freedom and is less concerned about public perception, stating directly, "Now, even if I walk around casually, people don't really recognize me anymore."
In fact, Lee Ju-yeon had previously revealed on a show that she was frequently pursued by male idols during her time with After School. She mentioned that stylists would often help pass along contact information, even disclosing, "Almost every boy group had one member who showed interest in me." She also added that it wasn't just her; other group members had similar experiences, which greatly surprised the show's guests.
Lee Ju-yeon debuted as a member of After School in 2009 and transitioned to acting after leaving the group in 2014. Beyond her entertainment career, her romantic life has consistently drawn attention, particularly her repeated dating rumors with G-Dragon.
In April 2025, renewed speculation about their relationship sparked a fifth round of dating rumors. At the time, G-Dragon's agency officially clarified that the dating rumors were untrue and that neither party had ever publicly confirmed a relationship. Now, with Lee Ju-yeon once again discussing her dating experiences from her idol days, her past romantic life has resurfaced as a topic of interest.
