During the October 9 episode of Shin Dong Yup’s Coffee Order on tvN STORY, a nostalgic reunion of the iconic 1990s Korean sitcom Soonpoong Clinic brought back cast members including Park Young Kyu, Lee Tae Ran, Kim Sung Eun, Kim Sung Min, and Lee Chang Hoon . While reflecting on the golden age of Korean television, one topic stood out— Lee Chang Hoon’s past dating rumors with Song Hye Kyo .
Host Shin Dong Yup directly brought up the old rumor, asking,
“You were really popular back then, and there were even rumors you were dating Song Hye Kyo, right?” Lee responded with a laugh, recalling, “I hated that rumor back then. I even fought with a reporter over it. After I got married, my wife’s friends would ask, ‘Did you really date Song Hye Kyo?’ I had to swear it wasn’t true.”
“It Was Just Acting—But People Wanted to Believe It”
The dating speculation stemmed from their on-screen romance in Soonpoong Clinic , which aired on SBS in 1998. Lee Chang Hoon played the love interest and later husband of Song Hye Kyo’s character, creating such convincing chemistry that fans believed their love extended off-screen.
In a 2013 episode of Hwashin , Lee already denied the rumors, explaining that he was in his 30s at the time while Song Hye Kyo was still a high school student.
“We just acted together. Our stylist was the same, and people started making things up. It was tough at the time, but now I just see it as a funny memory.”
Lee also shared how even small gestures became scandalous due to the show’s popularity: “I once gave both Hye Kyo and Heo Young Ran some kimbap, but only her name made the headlines.”
He added a more emotional anecdote: “One time, Hye Kyo cried after breaking up with her boyfriend. I comforted her, but people said I made her cry.”
Even His Wife Asked About It
Despite the passage of time, the rumor still pops up occasionally—even from Lee’s own wife.
“I just tell her it was nothing. It was all because the show was such a hit,” he said.
On the show, Lee brought the only photo he has with Song Hye Kyo , prompting Shin Dong Yup to joke, “You two look like you’re in love.” The comment drew laughter from the cast and audience alike.
Now married since 2008 to a woman 16 years his junior, Lee Chang Hoon is a father and far removed from the scandalous headlines of his sitcom days. Still, he takes the past in stride: “She’s a global star now. Let’s just laugh about it.”
Sources: Znews
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