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Yoon Chaekyung and Lee Yong Dae spark dating rumors amid agency’s “cannot confirm” stance

AKP STAFF
Posted by Minsoo-Kim Wednesday, November 19, 2025 9,193

Former APRIL member and now actress Yoon Chaekyung (29) and former national badminton player Lee Yong Dae (37) are in a relationship.

According to reports on November 20th KST, Yoon Chaekyung and Lee Yong Dae have been dating for a year.

The two have grown close despite their eight-year age difference and are described as nurturing a warm and genuine relationship. They are also said to introduce each other as partners to those around them, showing that the relationship is serious.

However, both sides have remained silent regarding the reports. Yoon Chaekyung’s agency, PA Entertainment said, “It is difficult for us to confirm as this concerns her private life.”


Lee Yong Dae married actress Byun Soo Mi in 2017 after six years of dating, but the couple divorced about a year later in 2018 due to personality differences. Since then, he has been raising his daughter as a single father, and those close to him say he has been approaching his relationship with Yoon Chaekyung with sincerity and care.

Notably, Yoon Chaekyung released a Rio Olympics cheer-song medley in 2016 when she was promoting as a member of the project group I.B.I.

In a past interview, when asked “Which sport are you most interested in?” Yoon replied, “Badminton is a sport anyone can easily enjoy, even if they’re not an athlete, but the way Lee Yong Dae holds the racket and serves is truly impressive.” Her sincere admiration has now, nine years later, blossomed into a real relationship—drawing attention as a fate-like love story.

Yoon Chaekyung debuted in 2012 as a member of the group Puretty, and later gained recognition through KARA Project in 2014 and Mnet ‘Produce 101’ in 2016. After Produce 101, she promoted as a member of project group I.B.I and also gained attention as part of C.I.V.A on Mnet ‘God of Music 2’.

She later re-debuted with APRIL, earning love from fans in Korea and abroad with songs such as ‘Story of the Land of Spring’ and ‘The Answer’. After the group disbanded in 2022, she transitioned fully into acting, appearing in ‘1:11 – The Time to Go to You’, ‘Goryeo-Khitan War’, and ‘The Confidence Man KR’.

Lee Yong Dae is a celebrated former national athlete who won the mixed doubles gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the men’s doubles bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, and multiple medals at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. He is currently a playing coach for Yonex Badminton Team and also appears on television through programs such as SBS ‘My Little Old Boy’ and ‘Racket Boys’. He will also appear in the new program ‘Spike War’, which premieres on the 20th.


SEE ALSO: K-Pop choreographer Lia Kim shares wedding photos with fellow choreographer Choi Young Joon

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