Lee Kyu-han declares 20-year affection for Solbi ahead of April wedding

Actor Lee Kyu-han revealed he has liked singer Solbi for 20 years during a YouTube video released on the 22nd. The couple, who met on the reality program Pursuing Old Encounters, are scheduled to hold a private wedding next April.

Actor Lee Kyu-han has poured out bold expressions of affection ahead of his marriage to singer Solbi, but the sentiment is not being met with universal warmth. While he emphasized his deep feelings by telling Solbi, "I have liked you since 20 years ago" and "I waited for you," his comments have resurfaced attention regarding his past public relationship with Nam Yu-jeong, formerly of BBGIRLS. Some point out that his sweet confessions to his fiancée give the impression of attempting to erase his past with his former partner.

On the 22nd, a video titled "Introducing my groom-to-be" was released on Solbi's YouTube channel, Solbi Is Back. Appearing before the camera for the first time since announcing their marriage, Lee Kyu-han introduced himself as Solbi's groom-to-be and shared stories about their dating life. Since their connection began on a dating reality program, interest has focused on the process of how the two opened their hearts to one another.

The two reminisced about the dating reality program Pursuing Old Encounters, in which they appeared together last year. Solbi mentioned a mission in a car where they had to hold hands, noting that Lee Kyu-han pulled her hand to hold it, a moment that caused her heart to open significantly. Lee Kyu-han responded by stating that he had watched Solbi's YouTube videos without fail. The pair naturally described how the interest sparked during the broadcast developed into a real-life romance.

The atmosphere intensified when Solbi brought up a past comment from one of her videos where she stated she would marry within three years. Lee Kyu-han joked, "I wondered if I had to wait three years," before adding, "I was waiting for Solbi even then; I have liked her since 20 years ago." By making remarks suggesting he had held her in his heart for a long time, he flaunted his affection. Lee Kyu-han's direct confession to his fiancée has further fueled interest surrounding their marriage.

However, these remarks have left room for the public, who are aware of Lee Kyu-han's past dating history, to interpret them in a different context. In 2023, Lee Kyu-han admitted to dating Nam Yu-jeong, formerly of BBGIRLS, and the two maintained a public relationship for approximately one year. As they were a notable public couple in the entertainment industry at the time, their breakup in 2024 is also known to the public. Following the confession that he has liked Solbi since 20 years ago, reactions inevitably include comparisons to his past public relationship.

Of course, Lee Kyu-han's remarks alone cannot be used to conclude the sincerity or the emotions of his past relationship. Expressing interest in someone known for a long time and the actual process of dating are separate matters. However, it is possible to suggest that using expressions that seem to skip over all past time could appear careless given his history of a public relationship with a former partner. Despite his intention to show strong affection, some in the public may perceive the confession as not fully considering the weight of his words.

Lee Kyu-han and Solbi built mutual interest after appearing together on Pursuing Old Encounters last year. Although they did not become a final couple on the show, they developed into a real-life couple after the broadcast and are now approaching marriage. The two are scheduled to hold a private wedding next April, inviting only family, relatives, and close acquaintances.

Expressions of affection between lovers ahead of marriage are celebratory in themselves. However, the words of a celebrity who has experienced a public relationship are bound to be interpreted in connection not only with their current love but also with previously disclosed relationships. While Lee Kyu-han's confession to Solbi may have been a pleasant joke or an expression of affection to the two, from the public's perspective, it has served as a catalyst to recall his past with former partner Nam Yu-jeong.

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