One of South Korea's most high-profile star pairs has called it quits. Jung Kyung Ho ("Wise Prison Life", "Pro Bono") and Choi Soo Young (Girls' Generation) have ended their 14-year relationship.

Fans are in shock. Jung Kyung Ho and Soo Young started dating in 2012 and were considered one of the most stable celebrity couples in South Korea.

The actors' agencies confirmed the breakup on June 9. Representatives for Choi Soo Young stated that the two have decided to remain good colleagues in the future. Even before the announcement, both celebrities had unfollowed each other on social media.

Jung Kyung Ho and Choi Soo Young were students at the Department of Theater and Film at Chung-Ang University. They began dating in 2012 and officially confirmed their relationship in 2014.

Since then, they have been in a public relationship, living under the spotlight for 12 years, and were regarded as a model couple whose love endured over a long period — a rarity in the entertainment industry. Both demonstrated their unwavering affection by mentioning each other in interviews and television shows.

Rumors of their wedding constantly surfaced. In particular, when fellow Girls' Generation member Tiffany recently announced her own wedding, attention naturally turned to whether Choi Soo Young, who is also in a long-term public relationship, would tie the knot. At the time, commenting on Tiffany's wedding news, Choi Soo Young said: "I'm so happy. This is truly joyful news, and I support it. The group members are the only close friends I have in my life."

Jung Kyung Ho had long been seamlessly integrated into the Girls' Generation circle. Among the group's fans, the nickname "future son-in-law" had become quite common. Given how long they spent together, the sense of loss among fans is immense.

Since both sides have stated that they have decided to remain good colleagues without any accusations or conflicts toward each other, reactions to this breakup - described as a mature separation - continue to pour in. Netizens are commenting:
"14 years is a really long time, so it's such a shame."
"I thought they would get married."
"It's significant that they spent their youth together."
"I support their decision to stay good colleagues."
"I hope they find happiness."

Sources 1, 2, 3