Lee Jae-wook, a rising star in the South Korean acting scene, and Karina, a leading figure in the K-pop world as a member of Aespa, have been confirmed to be in a relationship.

Their respective agencies, C-JeS Studio and SM Entertainment, have both acknowledged the relationship, sharing a unified message of encouragement for the new couple: “They are getting to know each other.”

C-JeS Studio further appealed to the public’s sense of empathy and support, stating, “We ask you to look upon them fondly and treat them with respect.”

From Milan With Love

The story of their romance, as reported by the South Korean paparazzi-style media publication Dispatch, unfolds like a tale from a modern-day k-drama

Dispatch broke the news this morning (27 February 2024), saying that the spark between 25-year-old Lee Jae-wook and 23-year-old Karina ignited in Milan, Italy, during the Prada Fall/Winter 2024 fashion show on 14 January.

An insider described their meeting as “love at first sight.”

Despite the demands of their busy schedules, and the fact that Karina still shares a living space with her aespa bandmates, the couple has managed to find time for each other both in Milan and back home in Seoul.

Dispatch’s photographs further reveal Karina visiting Jae-wook’s neighborhood, with reports of the couple enjoying late-night walks in a park.

A Union of Talents

Lee Jae-wook, a South Korean actor born on 10 May 1998, has quickly risen to fame since his acting debut in 2018.

Starting his career as a freelancer, he later joined VAST Entertainment in 2018 and then C-JeS Entertainment in 2021. Lee Jae-wook caught the audience’s attention with his role as Marco Han in the drama Memories of the Alhambra.

One of Lee Jae-wook’s notable achievements was landing his first leading role in the drama Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol.

Beyond acting, Lee Jae-wook is known for his unique personal traits, such as enjoying watching films, writing by hand, and creating mind maps to delve deeper into his characters.

Having majored in drama at Chung-Ang University, he was initially hesitating to take on certain roles, such as in the drama Alchemy of Souls, but ultimately accepted the challenge and received acclaim for his performance.

Karina, a standout K-pop artist and member of the girl group aespa under SM Entertainment, was born on 11 April 2000, and debuted in 2020.

aespa comprises Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning.

Known for her strong vocal skills, dynamic stage presence, and visuals, she has played a pivotal role in aespa’s rise in the K-pop industry.