Idols-turned-actors Lee Junho (2PM) and YoonA (Girls' Generation) are currently starring in the highly acclaimed Netflix original K-drama King the Land. Their undeniable onscreen chemistry is one of the major reasons why the series is ranked #1 on Netflix Philippines, and their many scenes together have left us all swooning.
Rumors began circulating that the costars' chemistry went from reel to real, prompting their respective agencies to release statements on their behalf on Monday, July 3. Initially, JYP Entertainment stated that they were "looking into the reports," sending shippers (fans of the couple IRL) into a frenzy. However, within the same day SM Entertainment declared, "the dating rumors are not true." Junho’s agency further clarified that while the two have a close relationship, the dating rumors are "groundless."
Fans of the second generation of K-pop may remember how often their two groups interacted, and that means YoonA and Junho shared plenty of screen time. We decided to put together this list of notable moments, to act as a walk down memory lane.
Here are ten moments between YoonA and Lee Junho that prove they've always had undeniable chemistry:
1. Junho has always expressed his preference for YoonA — which led to his 2PM members constantly teasing him!
On August 15, 2009 Star Golden Bell aired an "Idol Special" episode featuring KARA, SNSD, 2PM, and SHINee. YoonA was voted the most popular girl group member among the guys of 2PM and SHINee, and apparently three out of the four 2PM members present (Taecyeon, Junho, and Chansung) chose her!
Taecyeon said he voted for YoonA "because she's pretty," and Junho chose YoonA because of her sense of humor: "She knows how to be funny [and not worry about her image]."
On January 14, 2010, during SBS‘s One Night’s TV Entertainment, "Captain Korea" Taecyeon exposed Junho, who apparently got jealous over Taec getting to perform with YoonA! "Junho is 2PM's avatar/symbol of jealousy. He was envious of my collaboration with YoonA during one of last year’s year-end stages." Don't worry Junho, it took 11 years but you made it happen. LOL!
On the February 9, 2010 episode of Strong Heart, Taecyeon and YoonA had to deny dating rumors and Junho sneakily joked "I don't know anything about it" instead of coming to Taec's defense. YoonA also cheered him on when the idol had his turn on the dance floor, and Junho impressed everybody with his acrobatic skills!
2. They got close during their stint on the variety show Family Outing.
Although Family Outing season 2 focused more on the "love line" between Taecyeon and YoonA, in episode 2, Taec called Junho to wish him a happy birthday. YoonA then greeted Junho, which started a short but funny convo between them:
YoonA: Oppa, hi!
Junho: Oh, hi!
YoonA: Happy birthday!
Junho: Thanks YoonA. Congratulations to you, too~
YoonA: For what?
Junho: Just congratulations~
Junho then appeared in episodes 8-9 as a guest, and viewers got to see them interact on screen!
3. Junho sent YoonA a coffee truck as a show of support.
In November 2011, Junho sent the coffee and snack truck to the set of YoonA's K-drama Big Mouth, where she starred opposite Lee Jong Suk. The banner read, "To Lim YoonA, I'm granting you coffee -jeongjo-." Jeongjo was Junho's character in the hit K-drama The Red Sleeve, for which he won Best Actor at the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards!
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4. They co-hosted the 2021 and 2022 MBC Gayo Daejejeons together.
Junho joined YoonA (who has been the host since 2015) and seasoned TV personality Jang Sung Kyu (who has been co-hosting with YoonA since 2019), to award all the 2021: Together honorees.
Due to their undeniable chemistry, the trio were invited back to host the 2022 MBC Gayo Daejejeon, 2022: With Love. The two even gifted fans with a mini 2PM x SNSD moment when Junho sang "Lion Heart" to get YoonA to dance — and complimented her "center vibe" while she mimicked the typical idol ending fairy moment!
5. They danced to Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes' "Señorita" in 2021.
The sultry track by Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes was the perfect song choice to showcase their fiery onstage chemistry. The pair choreography was equal parts sexy and sweet, especially at the end when YoonA slides Junho's black jacket off. You can practically feel everyone's hearts fluttering when 2PM idol put it around YoonA's shoulders before escorting her to the back of the stage!
6. They returned for a dance cover of Michael Jackson's "Love Never Felt So Good" in 2022.
In contrast to "Señorita," the duo opted for a cute and lighthearted concept for the 2022 MBC Gayo Daejejeon. They suit both styles incredibly well! Dancing along to Michael Jackson's "Love Never Felt So Good" in matching pink outfits, we're having a hard time choosing our favorite out of the two stages. What about you? Let's keep our fingers crossed for a three-peat special performance during the 2023 MBC Gayo Daejejeon!
7. They vlogged behind the scenes moments from their dance practices.
ICYMI, YoonA vlogged the behind the scenes of their dance practice for 2021 MBC Gayo Daejejeon's "Señorita" stage! After memorizing the steps to their couple dance, Junho taught YoonA the choreography to his group's hit song "My House." "Many people want [to see] a cover dance, too. Something like doing Girls' Generation or 2PM dances for each other," YoonA shared. "The fans would like it too," Junho agreed.
After teasing him about having to learn "Holiday", YoonA walked Junho through the chorus part of SNSD's hit song, "Lion Heart."
In 2022 it was Junho's turn to vlog the both of them learning their choreo to "Love Never Felt So Good" — which took place at the JYP building this time!
8. YoonA and Junho fronted the cover of a major magazine in July 2023.
One thing we love about Korean drama promos is the big projects usually get a magazine cover for additional promotional material. So when Allure Korea started posting on social media, fans were incredibly excited — and we're obsessed over every single concept from this shoot!
YoonA shared five of the magazine's photos on her personal Insta — including their couple cover! — and captioned it "Allure July issue." She also shared behind the scenes footage of the cover shoot in her vlog! We've included all pictures bar one (where she's looking directly at the camera hugging Junho's back):
Allure Korea also shared this *steamy* photo of the two along with Junho's corresponding straight-to-camera glance (with YoonA's back turned this time), shot on location at the AC Hotel Seoul Gangnam.
Which of the photos is your ultimate fave?
9. All the behind the scenes footage from King the Land shooting.
We have no words for the amount of kilig we feel each time we see a new behind the scenes clip from King the Land. Prepare yourselves before watching BTS clips 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, or you'll swoon over the feels! It's amazing how quickly Junho and YoonA switch between laughing at (or with) each other to playing their respective characters — especially since Gu Won is supposed to be a cool and reserved person!
10. Their promotional period for King the Land...just all of it!
From attempting an ASMR challenge to showering each other with compliments, to guessing their characters' MBTI types, to being competitive over games, YoonA and Junho have done a lot to promote their series King the Land. The actors even sit down to do commentary on the episodes (here's episodes 1-2, and episodes 3-4)!
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Special Mention: Girls Generation and 2PM once filmed a commercial for Caribbean Bay with a song called "Cabi Song."
Featuring the OG Bermuda Line of K-pop (YoonA, Yuri, and Seohyun), this CF (Commercial Film) has achieved a legendary status among K-pop fans due to the rarity of boy and girl groups filming CFs together. We need more boy x girl group interactions!
Although YoonA isn't paired together with Junho in this advertisement (the main "couples" were YoonA x Taecyeon, Yuri x Nichkhun, and Seohyun x Chansung), several members of 2PM have chosen her as their ideal type in the past — not just Junho! 2PM's maknae Chansung had great chemistry with YoonA when the nation's girl group appeared for two episodes during the boy group's stint as Idol Army hosts (season 3, episodes 8-9 ICYDK).
However, in Idol Army YoonA picked Nichkun over Chansung. Although he eventually dated her group member Tiffany, the "Thai Prince" shared that he liked YoonA because "she has a very beautiful smile." When asked who he'd like to be with out of the Girls' Generation members, he even said "even though I'm sorry to Taecyeon, it'd be YoonA."
King the Land is available for streaming on Netflix. 8 out of the 16 episodes have been released, and new episodes air every Saturday and Sunday until August 6th.
