Actress Kim So Eun’s Romance Rumors Get Debunked

Her acquaintances have spoken up.

On April 23, Korean media outlets reported that actress Kim So Eun was in a relationship with professional soccer player Jung Dong Ho of Suwon FC (K League 1). But according to the close friends of the two, the reports are untrue.

The previous reports claimed that the two stars had been quietly dating for over a year. However, a later report by OSEN on the same day cited a source familiar with both of them who claimed otherwise. They clarified that though the two were very close friends, they were not dating.

It’s true that Kim So Eun and Jung Dong Ho are very close, to the point where those around them are aware of their friendship. However, they are not actually in a romantic relationship.

— Acquaintance close to both Kim and Jung

Kim So Eun herself also denied the rumors in an interview with another media outlet, labeling them as “completely groundless.”

OSEN’s insider source, who is close to Kim So Eun, claimed that since she and Jung were close friends, they have overlapping social and golf circles, and hence often appeared at gatherings together. They reasoned that this might have sparked “misunderstandings” about the nature of their relationship.

According to OSEN’s reports, the outlet had been receiving tips about a possible romance between Kim So Eun and Jung Dong Ho since last year. Jung had apparently attended Kim’s birthday party, where he was spotted holding hands with her in front of acquaintances. It was also claimed that they were having dates at their shared golf gatherings.

When OSEN reached out to Kim’s agency and other sources, all of them denied the rumors. Her agency clarified that several of Kim’s male friends attended her birthday celebration, and she hugged and held hands with many of them throughout the day.

Despite the denials, the rumors kept growing, especially after a so-called “Lovestagram,” sparking claims that the two had traveled abroad together. However, a close acquaintance of Kim has clarified that the overseas trip was a filming schedule. They also reiterated that Jung was simply one of the many guests at Kim’s birthday party.

Meanwhile, Kim So Eun made her acting debut in 2005 through the MBC drama Sisters of the Sea. She is currently pursuing independent activities after parting ways with her former agency, Ascendio, last year. Jung Dung Ho, on the other hand started his career in 2009 with Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan’s J1 League. He represented South Korea at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup and was selected for the senior national team in 2015. Since 2021, he has been playing with Suwon FC.