Credit: JTBC
Eight years after charming the nation with their heartwarming bond on the reality show Hyori’s Homestay , K-pop legends Lee Hyori and IU are now at the center of online rumors suggesting their famous friendship has ended.
The speculation, which has been circulating for over a year, stems from a lack of public interaction between the two stars. Fans have pointed to several observations: IU is known for inviting close friends to her concerts, but Lee Hyori has not been spotted at any of her shows in recent years—even though IU has welcomed non-celebrity staff from Hyori’s Homestay .
Adding fuel to the rumors, fans noticed that the two no longer follow each other on Instagram. However, this can be explained by the fact that Lee Hyori deleted her original account and later started a new one, which reset her followers. Neither artist is known for following many accounts in general. Another talking point was IU’s absence from Lee Hyori’s Red Carpet , the talk show Hyori hosted last year, which some interpreted as another sign of distance.
Some netizens have even raised suspicions that IU appeared uncomfortable with Lee Hyo Ri’s unreserved and frank demeanor during their time on the show. They claim that Lee Hyoei seemed to show more care for Girls’ Generation member YoonA than for IU. Consequently, these rumors of a falling out have become a heated topic of debate.
The reason the speculation is so intense is that their friendship became beloved through the 2017 hit Hyori’s Homestay . Lee Hyori was seen as a warm mentor to IU, and their heartfelt conversations were a highlight for viewers. The admiration was mutual: Lee Hyori once called IU “a gift from God,” while IU said the experience helped her grow significantly.
After the show, Lee Hyori did appear as a guest at one of IU’s concerts, but public interactions between them have been scarce since. Some netizens have even gone back to claim that IU seemed uncomfortable with Lee Hyori’s frank personality on the show.
Still, a growing number of people are pushing back against the rumors, arguing that the supposed “falling out” is an imagined drama created by fans with unrealistic expectations for their public friendship. They caution that without any official confirmation, the claims remain unsubstantiated hearsay.
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