K-SNAPP

Kim Ji-seok Opens Up About Dating 12-Years-Younger Lee Joo-myung: "I Feel More at Ease Mentally"

'Husbands in Action' star Kim Ji-seok shares the pros and cons of going public with his relationship

Kim Ji-seok, Lee Joo-myung, Husbands in Action, beef treats, public romance
김지석, 이주명 [사진: 넷플릭스 'Husbands in Action', JTBC 'My Youth']
Kim Ji-seok, Lee Joo-myung, Husbands in Action, beef treats, public romance
김지석 [사진: 넷플릭스]

Actor Kim Ji-seok openly showed affection for Lee Joo-myung, his girlfriend who is 12 years younger, as their public romance continues to make headlines.

On the 23rd, Kim Ji-seok sat down for an interview in a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, to talk about the Netflix film Husbands in Action. He shared that Lee Joo-myung often cheers him on in her own unique way — by treating him to delicious beef — and gives him steady support.

In August 2024, Kim Ji-seok confirmed he was dating actress Lee Joo-myung. The two, who are 12 years apart, announced at the time: "We are continuing to see each other. Please watch over us with warmth."

Addressing their public relationship, Kim admitted, "I'm wary of even opening my mouth when questions about dating come up. I even asked variety shows to edit it out, but it still aired. I'm always careful," candidly sharing the pressure that comes with going public.

He then added, "On a personal level, as just one man and one woman, I do feel a bit more at ease. It's mentally comfortable when we go out to eat or walk around. But even though there have been articles and I talked about it on variety shows, there are still many people who don't know we're dating," continuing, "I hope she can be judged, remembered, and shine purely as an actor in her own right."

Meanwhile, Husbands in Action is a comedic action film about two husbands — ex-husband Chungsik (Jin Seon-kyu) and current husband Minseok (Gong Myung) — who team up to rescue their wife after a crime syndicate kidnaps her. Directed by Park Gyu-tae, the movie premiered on Netflix on the 19th.