When you see two of K-pop’s most powerful forces, IU and BTS V, for example, appear in the same frame, there’s a guaranteed possibility that the whole internet would go into frenzy. And when that frame includes dim lighting, a luxury restaurant, and IU’s signature flannel? That’s a recipe for viral chaos! But as whispers of BTS V and IU dating relationship rumors began rising and made yet another round online, it’s time to cut through the noise, right here, right now.
So, dive deep into BTS and IU dating relationship rumors with us and let’s take a closer look at why they just won’t die. Find out what actually happened, and what you need to know as fans, beyond the fan-cams and paparazzi buzz.
BTS V and IU Dating Relationship: What Sparked the Rumor—Again?
When IU brilliantly invited BTS V as the lead actor for her “Love Wins All” MV, and when the world saw how breathtaking their chemistry was, the public began speculating and massively shipping these two brilliant artists. Fortunately, all the speculations died down as the hype faded.
But apparently, the hopes and wishes still stayed. And all it took was one grainy photo for the IU and BTS V dating relationship narrative to reignite.
On May 15, 2025, V was spotted at Seoul’s Michelin-starred MOSU, seated across from someone wearing a wide-brimmed hat and flannel shirt. And the two pieces of clothing alone were enough for fans to shout: IU.
Not only that, but the timing made it even juicier, they were there on IU’s birthday. And as the ship was already built from IU’s “Love Wins All” MV, for some fans, seeing them sitting together over a meal created one powerful moment that’s full of hope: maybe, just maybe, we would be hearing about BTS V and IU’s dating relationship confirmation after this?
But here’s the truth you probably missed if you only read the headlines: they were NOT alone.
What REALLY Happened?
Following the viral rumors and speculation, an eyewitness later came forward online, claiming they were seated just beside IU and V.
According to this person, the two were part of a four-person gathering that also included 2AM’s Lim Seulong and another woman. It was NOT a secret date. It was just a friendly dinner. One that fans of both artists could’ve celebrated if it weren’t so quickly twisted into romantic tabloid fodder.
And that’s not a mere speculation. It’s supported by IU’s livestream footage from the same day, where she wore the same outfit seen in the viral image. What she wore was far from a soft date-night disguise. It was her birthday fit. Comfortable, casual, and familiar—just like any get-together with longtime friends.
Why IU and BTS V?
The fascination with the BTS V and IU dating relationship didn’t begin in that restaurant. It began with a storyline, just as we mentioned, the “Love Wins All” MV.
In “Love Wins All,” V played Taejun, the fictional partner of IU’s Jihye. Portraying lovers on the run in a broken world, their chemistry intensified by desolation and danger. It was cinematic, symbolic, and entirely scripted.
But K-pop isn’t Hollywood. Fans often blur the lines between performance and reality, projecting the emotional beats of a story onto the people behind it.
So when BTS V, who filmed the MV just days before enlisting in the military, showed up months later at IU’s concert? It didn’t help quiet the speculators. Instead, it deepened the illusion: maybe this was more than acting.
But in truth, it was what it looked like—respect, not romance.
The Real Nature of BTS V and IU Relationship: NOT Dating
IU and V operate within overlapping circles in the industry. They’ve known each other long before “Love Wins All.” Not only that, but BTS V and IU shared mutual friends, including Seulong, who has been a part of their lives for a long time. That’s why their dinner at MOSU was a celebration of friendship that’s been quietly present for years.
What’s even more crucial, did you not remember that IU has publicly confirmed her relationship with actor Lee Jong Suk since 2022? Despite occasional breakup rumors, they’ve been consistently seen together, and neither party has suggested otherwise.
BTS V, meanwhile, has remained private, with HYBE previously denying past dating allegations, including the long-running Jennie rumors.
So when you ask If IU and BTSV are dating, the most grounded answer remains: No. There’s no evidence they are—and plenty that they’re not.
Why Do Fans Keep Hoping?
Here’s where things get more complicated.
For some fans, IU and V represent a kind of emotional symmetry. Both are artists admired not only for their music but for their introspective personalities. Both evoke a sense of melancholy beauty. And in “Love Wins All,” that energy collided.
Some fans want to believe. Not because they’re malicious, but because they crave a fairytale.
And because K-pop encourages emotional investment at a scale unlike any other industry, lines began to blur. A fictional couple becomes a projection, and a dinner becomes proof.
This is the shadow of parasocial culture: a desire to shape idols’ stories in ways that feel meaningful to us, even if it erases their actual reality.
What’s the Harm in a Little Speculation?
Now, you might think these rumors are harmless. But for IU, who is already in a public relationship, they’re not.
You might not realize this, but all these rumors then horribly reduce her years-long relationship with Lee Jong Suk, reducing a deeply personal and publicly acknowledged bond into nothing more than a placeholder—something fans feel entitled to rewrite.
These rumors have then only redefined what was supposed to be IU and Lee Jong Suk’s happiness, filled with support from both sides of fans, into a growing suspicion that will only result in harm.
Meanwhile, for BTS V, who is currently serving in the military, these false dating relationship rumors with IU only invite cruel, false narratives when he can’t respond.
And most importantly, they keep both artists locked in a loop of manufactured gossip, where privacy is optional, and friendships are fair game for fiction.
Even after an eyewitness came forward and confirmed it was a casual group dinner, some people refused to believe it.
Instead, they insisted it was a secret “double date,” while others went as far as spinning conspiracy theories. What was simply a friendly meal between four people somehow turned into a dramatic plotline, twisted and exaggerated until it no longer resembled the truth.
What Fans Should Actually Pay Attention To
If you’re true fans of BTS V and IU, and you want to genuinely support these two brilliant artists, then stop magnifying such speculations.
Watch their work. Revisit “Love Wins All” MV with a fresh perspective—one that honors their performance rather than turning it into a tabloid subplot.
Appreciate IU’s artistry and rewatch her drama, “When Life Gives You Tangerines.” Wait for V’s return post-military, keep on streaming his projects, and wait for his next artistic move. Follow them closely, not as imagined lovers, but as the evolving creatives they are.
Because the real story isn’t a dating rumor. It’s how two artists, each on their own path, can share a moment—onscreen or at dinner—without it needing to become something else.
BTS V and IU Dating Relationship Rumors: A Reflection of Twisted Industry Culture
Finally, the BTS V and IU dating relationship rumor may generate clicks, but it doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
What we’re seeing isn’t romance—it’s reflection. Of the roles they play, the friendships they maintain, and the industry that constantly pushes intimacy into the public arena. And yet, both IU and V continue to stand firm—gracefully dodging speculation, staying true to themselves, and reminding fans that not every connection is a confession.
So, before you hit share on that next blurry photo, ask yourself: are you chasing truth, or just another tale?
[UPDATE – May 21, 2025]
IU and Lee Jong Suk Still Dating, Despite Rumors After V Outing
After IU was seen dining with BTS’s V on her birthday, breakup rumors with Lee Jong Suk resurfaced for the third time. Some speculated that his absence from her birthday post hinted at a split. However, close sources from both sides quickly dismissed the claims.
“IU and Lee Jong Suk are still meeting well,”one insider confirmed via Sports Chosun (May 21, 2025). They clarified the dinner was a friendly get-together with the “Love Wins All” MV team. “It wasn’t a secret meeting—V didn’t even hide his face,” another source added.
These rumors are actually similar to the previous false alarms, including a concert sighting in 2024 and a ring photo in February 2025. Despite keeping their relationship low-profile, IU and Lee Jong Suk have remained steady since going public in December 2022.
If you miss the chemistry between IU and BTS V, you can always revisit their performances in “Love Wins All.” Or you can also rewatch their heartwarming interaction in IU’s Palette.
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Source: Sport Chosun
