South Korean actress Lee Ju-yeon (이주연) debuted in 2008 as a member of the girl group After School, serving as a lead vocalist and the group's visual. Prior to her debut, she gained online fame for her striking looks, earning the nickname 'ulzzang' (best face), which caught the attention of scouts and led to her entry into the entertainment industry. Lee has been repeatedly rumored to be dating BIGBANG member G-Dragon (권지용), with four dating scandals surfacing between 2016 and 2019. Speculation about a rekindled romance resurfaced in April 2025 due to social media activity, once again sparking discussion.
Now, Lee Ju-yeon has made a rare public comment about her personal life on a variety show, unexpectedly stating, "About a year ago, I started wanting to date!" She even shyly added, "I need to meet a good man soon."
The latest episode of SBS's variety show 'Running Man,' which aired on the 16th, featured Apink's Jung Eun-ji (정은지), actress Lee Ju-yeon (formerly of After School), and Kim Ji-eun (김지은) as guests. The cast headed to Gwangmyeong Cave for a 'Summer Escape' special, completing various missions in 37-degree Celsius heat.
Lee Ju-yeon's appearance marked her return to 'Running Man' after eight years. During the show, Ji Suk-jin (지석진) asked about her current relationship status. She candidly replied, "I can't date right now. Honestly, work used to be more important than love, but about a year ago, I started wanting to date." She then shyly continued, "I need to meet a good man soon. Are there any good men out there?"
No sooner had she spoken than the other cast members immediately started teasing, pushing Yang Se-chan (양세찬) forward and joking, "Se-chan is a really good person!" Despite their enthusiastic recommendations, Lee Ju-yeon unhesitatingly waved him off, simply replying, "No," which sent the set into laughter.
Haha (하하) and others seized the opportunity to bring up their past interactions on the show, recalling the subtle chemistry between Lee Ju-yeon and Yang Se-chan eight years ago. They steered the conversation towards the two, creating a lively atmosphere. As the members continued to emphasize that "Se-chan is really good," Lee Ju-yeon remained firm in her refusal, and what began as a simple discussion about dating gradually escalated into a 'relationship revelation battle.'
Haha then suddenly asked Lee Ju-yeon, "Ju-yeon, you used to be an idol, right?" Lee Ju-yeon, in turn, asked Yang Se-chan, "Are you an 'idol killer'? I've heard about that too, who was it?" She even pressed him about his past relationships, mysteriously adding, "I think I know."
Yang Se-chan, not to be outdone, immediately retorted, "Do you think I only date idols? That's not it." He then shot back at Lee Ju-yeon, "I also know who you've dated, should I say it? Let's see whose consequences are worse in the end." Seeing the conversation becoming increasingly sensitive, Lee Ju-yeon quickly intervened, laughing, "Let's both be quiet." This brought a temporary halt to the heated relationship exchange.
In fact, Lee Ju-yeon had previously discussed her views on relationships and marriage on MBC's variety show 'The Manager.' During the program, she revealed aspects of her private life and admitted that she tends to get 'bored' easily in relationships, a trait that has contributed to past breakups.
The show's hosts also curiously asked about her popularity with men during her time as an After School member, directly inquiring, "You must have received a lot of confessions back then, right?" Faced with the question, Lee Ju-yeon gave a wry smile and admitted, "If I say this, I'll probably get scolded." However, after repeated questioning from the hosts, she finally conceded, "Yes, almost every boy group had one [who confessed]."
She then added that it wasn't just her who was particularly popular; other After School members also experienced similar situations. This revelation quickly sparked heated discussion among netizens, with many viewers exclaiming, "As expected of the popular goddess of her time!"
