The world of K-pop is often filled with glamorous performances and cheerful variety show moments, but sometimes the stars open up about the painful realities of their personal lives. Lee Mijoo, a former member of the popular girl group Lovelyz, recently did just that during a candid appearance on South Korean television. The entertainment industry was buzzing after the episode aired, as Mijoo shared a deeply personal story of betrayal that happened years ago, revealing that her ex-boyfriend was unfaithful to her with another K-pop idol on Christmas Day.
The Shocking Confession on “Real Talk”
On February 16, 2026, SBS’s variety talk show “Real Talk” (also known as “Uh, But Like, Seriously!”) aired an episode featuring guests Jo Hyeon-ah, Lee Mijoo, and Im Woo-il . During the program, the hosts and guests engaged in a 3-vs-3 meeting talk, discussing past relationships and the difficult experiences they had endured. Host Lee Sang-min set the stage by mentioning that the guests had gone through tough times before coming to the meeting, specifically pointing out that Mijoo had been betrayed by an ex-boyfriend and had suffered greatly because of it .
Mijoo confirmed his statement and proceeded to tell a story that left everyone in the studio, and viewers at home, shocked. She described the incident as something that happened a long time ago, but the pain was still evident in her voice as she recalled the details. The betrayal occurred on Christmas, a holiday typically associated with joy and togetherness .
A Christmas Day Mystery
Mijoo explained that she had prior commitments on Christmas Day and could not meet her boyfriend. She made sure to inform him of this in advance, thinking everything was fine. However, the day after Christmas, her world turned upside down. A friend called her with alarming news. The friend asked Mijoo if she knew a certain “oppa” (a term women use to refer to an older male friend or boyfriend). When Mijoo clarified that the man was her boyfriend, the friend dropped a bombshell .
According to Mijoo, her friend revealed that this boyfriend had taken a senior female member from the friend’s own K-pop group out on Christmas date. The friend added that the female idol had not returned home that night . The revelation sent shockwaves through the studio. Host Tak Jae-hoon dramatically exclaimed that the situation seemed like something for the police to handle, not a talk show discussion .
The Denial and the Difficult Decision
Upon hearing this devastating news, Mijoo immediately contacted her boyfriend to confront him. She told him, “I understand,” giving him a chance to explain, but he flatly denied everything . He insisted that the accusations were impossible and swore it was not true .
Despite having no concrete evidence like photos or videos, Mijoo trusted her friend’s word and the circumstances surrounding the situation. She knew that her boyfriend had been unreachable, and the story added up. She told him, “This is what I heard, and it’s true. You were unreachable, and this isn’t right” . Even though he continued to deny the affair, Mijoo made the incredibly difficult choice to end the relationship.
“I didn’t want to break up, but it was too outrageous,” she admitted on the show . In another interview, she elaborated, saying, “I really didn’t want to break up, but I was so offended that I did” . The emotional weight of her decision was palpable, as she confessed that her feelings for him were still there, but the sense of betrayal was too strong to ignore .
To Tell or Not to Tell: A Heated Debate
Mijoo’s story sparked a broader conversation among the panelists about whether someone should inform a friend if they witness their partner cheating. Lee Sang-min posed the question to the male guests, including Tak Jae-hoon, Im Woo-il, and Kai. Surprisingly, all three men admitted they would choose to stay silent .
Kai shared a personal experience to explain his reasoning. He recounted a time when he told a friend about their partner’s infidelity. The friend thanked him but ultimately did not break up with the cheating partner, which made Kai feel awkward and regretful for getting involved . Tak Jae-hoon added that men typically do not share such information, noting that sometimes couples fight, reconcile, and even grow closer after such incidents .
Mijoo was surprised by their responses, calling it “really bad” to stay silent . She firmly believed in the importance of telling the truth, a value she practiced with her friend Jo Hyeon-ah.
Mijoo’s Friendship with Jo Hyeon-ah
Mijoo revealed that she had been in a similar situation before, but on the giving end of the information. She shared a story about her friend Jo Hyeon-ah, who was also a guest on the show. Mijoo discovered that the man Jo Hyeon-ah was dating was actually in a long-term relationship with another person .
Despite knowing that Jo Hyeon-ah was happily talking about her boyfriend, Mijoo felt a moral obligation to intervene. “You can’t be with trash like that,” Mijoo recalled thinking . She sat her friend down and told her everything she knew. The revelation was so shocking that both women could not sleep that night .
Jo Hyeon-ah confirmed the story on the show, adding that what made it special was Mijoo’s willingness to go the extra mile. Mijoo offered to participate in a three-way call to confirm to the boyfriend that she was the one who exposed him . However, Jo Hyeon-ah candidly admitted that she did not break up with the man immediately, a confession that surprised the other panelists . Mijoo further described the man as “real trash,” explaining that while he was professing his love to Jo Hyeon-ah, he was also confessing to other women and had even begged Mijoo to date him, which she refused .
Fan Reactions and Public Speculation
As soon as the episode aired, fans and netizens flooded social media with reactions. Many expressed their sympathy for Mijoo, praising her courage for sharing such a painful memory on national television. Comments poured in supporting the entertainer, with many calling her strong for speaking out .
The story also ignited a wave of speculation. Since Mijoo mentioned that the other woman was a member of the same K-pop group as her friend, netizens began trying to piece together clues to identify the cheating ex-boyfriend and the female idol involved . Some online forums and fan communities are actively discussing the possible identities, although no official confirmation has been made, and Mijoo was careful not to reveal any names during the broadcast .
It is important to note that this story is from Mijoo’s past, long before her public relationship with footballer Song Beom-geun. Mijoo publicly dated the soccer player starting in 2024, but the couple broke up after about nine months, in January 2025 .
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Mijoo’s Career Moving Forward
Despite the painful memories of her past, Lee Mijoo is currently thriving in her career. After leaving her previous agency, Antenna, she signed with the prestigious hip-hop label AOMG in November 2025, marking a new chapter in her professional life .
In early January 2026, AOMG released a series of new profile photos for Mijoo, showcasing her versatile charm. The photos captured her in three distinct concepts: elegant in a white suit, chic and sophisticated in a black mini dress, and exuding a free-spirited, hip energy that aligns with AOMG’s brand identity . Fans were thrilled to see this new side of the entertainer, who has proven herself to be a versatile artist capable of excelling in music, variety shows, radio hosting, and web content . She continues to connect with her fans through her popular YouTube channel, “Just Lee Mijoo” .
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