IU Says She’d Only Marry for “Gwan-sik” Style Love—Is Lee Jong-suk the One?

IU opened up about her thoughts on love and marriage while discussing her new drama When Life Gives You Tangerines (Korean title: 폭싹 속았수다) during a guest appearance on the YouTube show B tv’s Piaakia with Lee Dong-jin, released on April 16.

They discuss her recent Netflix hit series When Life Gives You Tangerines. She talks with film critic Lee Dong-jin about the emotional depth of the series, especially the character Gwan-sik, played by Park Bo-gum. IU acknowledges that their love story has a fantasy-like quality and admits she was drawn to the character when first reading the script.

The two also humorously debate whether the show promotes marriage, with IU candidly sharing that unless it's a deeply consuming kind of love like in the drama, she wouldn’t want to marry—adding that audience reactions will likely be split between romantic inspiration and skepticism.

During the interview, IU reflected on the series and her character’s relationship with Park Bo-gum’s character, Gwan-sik. When host Lee Dong-jin remarked, “Isn’t Gwan-sik just too much of a fantasy? A man who only knows how to love?”—IU laughed and replied, “Especially Gwan-sik... he is a very beautiful person.” She admitted that when she first read the script, she was captivated by the character and did feel the love story had fantasy-like elements.

Lee then added, “Even though the series includes tragedy, it still feels like a strong case for marriage. It might even make you want to have kids.” IU, however, offered a more nuanced take: “As a viewer, I think reactions would be split. Some may feel inspired to get married, while others might think—if it’s not that kind of love, I don’t want marriage at all.”

Her honest comment drew laughter and showed her trademark thoughtfulness. Lee Dong-jin admitted he hadn’t considered that interpretation, and IU further emphasized, “That’s what I thought—reactions would definitely be 50/50.”

IU has been in a public relationship with actor Lee Jong-suk since December 2022, but her perspective makes it clear: for her, love has to be all-in or nothing.

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