The rise in searches for Lee Byung-hun was confirmed to have resulted not from an announcement of a new project or official activity, but from the spread on September 4–5, 2026, of entertainment reports covering a social media post by Ko Young-wook. Maeil Business Newspaper’s Star Today, Maeil Business Newspaper, and Sports Seoul reported that Ko Young-wook shared a post mentioning the married couple Lee Min-jung and Lee Byung-hun.
How did Ko Young-wook mention Lee Min-jung and Lee Byung-hun?
According to the reports, Ko Young-wook wrote that he had first cast Lee Min-jung on a street in Apgujeong when she was a high school student. He also mentioned her appearance in his music video and used the expression “playing celebrity.” However, the account of the past encounter and casting is a claim relayed by media outlets from Ko Young-wook’s social media post.
Ko Young-wook was also reported to have shared an article about a family trip involving Lee Min-jung and Lee Byung-hun, then added his personal interpretation of Lee Byung-hun’s expression. This, too, was an interpretation contained in the post and cannot be treated as verified information about Lee Byung-hun’s feelings or the couple’s relationship.
Public disclosure of the family trip and current verification status
Newsis reported that Lee Min-jung uploaded a video on her YouTube channel on September 1 showing a trip to Dalian, China, with both sides of the family and their children. The family-trip details mentioned by Ko Young-wook were reportedly based on the previously released video and articles covering it.
As of the night of September 5, 2026, no separate official statement from Lee Byung-hun or Lee Min-jung’s side had been confirmed. Accordingly, what can currently be verified is the spread of Ko Young-wook’s public post and reports quoting it. The past claims in the post and the interpretation of Lee Byung-hun’s expression should be distinguished from facts that have received official confirmation or independent verification.