It's that time of the year again. Many are anticipating South Korea's "Dispatch New Year Couple," and since the term "Dispatch Couple" is currently trending on X (formerly Twitter) it seems like some netizens won't be able to sleep until the big reveal.
ICYDK, Dispatch is one of the largest online news media outlets in South Korea that centers its content on the entertainment industry. Most of the time, they are the first to report on K-celebs' dating status, casting news, etc.
Since 2013, the news media outlet has been releasing the juiciest dating confirmation every January 1st—hence the term, "New Year Couple." TBH, the reveal has become an expected tradition for the whole K-entertainment industry and of course, for the K-fans out there to look forward to.
Curious about who have been the couples through the years? Well, you're at the right place because we're going to take a quick look back!
Here is the complete list of Dispatch's New Year Couples:
2010: Kim Hye Soo and Yoo Hae Jin
In 2010, Dispatch actually had a new year couple "to open the decade"—actors Kim Hye Soo and Yoo Hae Jin. HanCinema reported that they were given the moniker "Beauty and the Beast" back when they were still dating. Their relationship was short-lived as they broke up in 2011.
2011-2012: Dispatch did not reveal any New Year couple.
You read that right—there were no New Year couple reveals by Dispatch in both 2011 and 2012.
2013: Kim Tae Hee and Rain
It was in 2013 when the tradition of the annual New Year Couple began. Actress Kim Tae Hee and singer-actor Rain were the first Dispatch pairing revelation at the time. The couple tied the knot in 2017 and are now parents to two beautiful daughters.
READ: Aww, Rain Reveals That Kim Tae Hee Is His *First Love*
2014: Girls' Generation's Yoona and Lee Seung Gi
Yup, K-pop idol Yoona of Girls' Generation and actor Lee Seung Gi dated for nearly two years. They were the 2014 New Year couple. Dispatch reported that the two went out on a "Cinderella date." However, their romance ended in August 2015. Korean news site Soompi reported that the breakup was caused by their busy schedules.
You may now know Yoona as Cheon Sarang from the hit K-drama, King The Land; while Seung Gi once worked with Bae Suzy in the action drama, Vagabond. At present, Seung Gi is expecting his first child with his wife, Lee Da In.
2015: Lee Jung Jae and Lim Sae Ryung
The Squid Game star has been taken for years, ICYDK. Lee Jung Jae's relationship with Daesang Group heiress Lim Sae Ryung was one hot revelation in 2015. Back then, marriage rumors between the two had already surfaced, but they had been denying it as well. As of 2023, the two are still dating!
2016: JYJ's Kim Junsu and EXID's Hani
K-pop idols Kim Junsu and EXID's Hani dated for a while in 2016.Based on a report by Dispatch, it was Junsu who fell first, and he would often pick up Hani in his car after she finished her promotions for EXID's comeback at the time. But they went their separate ways in the same year due to busy schedules.
2017: Political Scandal
In 2017, no New Year couple was announced. Dispatch, along with most Korean news outlets, focused on the controversies surrounding Korean businesswoman Choi Soon Sil's corruption case, and her connection to South Korea's former president Park Geun Hye.
2018: G-Dragon and Lee Joo Yeon
It was reported in 2018 that K-pop idols G-Dragon and former After School member Jooyeon were spotted together at Jeju Island. At the time, fans were already speculating about their relationship, which they believed to have started in 2016.
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2019: BLACKPINK's Jennie and EXO's Kai
On January 1, 2019, Dispatch reported on BLACKPINK's Jennie and EXO's Kai's secret meet-ups. They were undeniably two of the biggest global K-pop idols at the time, so the news was a complete shock to everyone.
However, three weeks after their relationship was revealed, the two broke up. It was Kai's agency, SM Entertainment, which confirmed their breakup. Fans were left wondering about the cause of their split.
2020: Super Junior's Heechul and TWICE's Momo
Technically, Dispatch had no New Year couple for 2020. Instead, another media outlet called Market News broke the news about Super Junior's Heechul and TWICE's Momo's relationship. Fans had mixed reactions to their dating news, especially those who didn't approve of couples with big age gaps (Heechul and Momo have a 13-year age gap).
In July 2021, their respective agencies, SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment, confirmed the news reporting that the two have gone their separate ways. No official reason for their breakup was disclosed.
2021: Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin
It was Dispatch who made our once-delulu hearts for the BinJin pairing to be filled with happiness. The news agency confirmed Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin were dating in 2021. As everyone now knows, the two have been close colleagues and enjoyed quality time together through golf.
In March 2022, Ye Jin and Hyun Bin tied the knot in an absolutely dreamy wedding! Now, they are parents to their son, whom Ye Jin nicknamed ~*al-kkong*~.
2022: T-ARA's Hyomin and Hwang Ui Jo
In 2022, we had a celebrity x athlete romance. The 2022 New Year couple was T-ARA's Hyomin and soccer athlete Hwang Ui Jo.
Dispatch reported that they were in a long-distance relationship and had been each others' support system. They have reportedly been dating since November 2021.
2023: IU and Lee Jong Suk
TBH, one of the most loved K-couples today is IU and Lee Jong Suk. Dispatch revealed their relationship last January 1, 2023, and fans have known how close the two are since 2013.
Following their dating news, the two Hallyu stars immediately released their personal messages to their fans—which also declared their love and understanding for each other.
READ: Lee Jong Suk On His Relationship With IU: 'She makes me want to be a better person'
Who do you think the New Year Couple for 2024 will be?
