K-Pop Star Couple Breakup, Hee-chul From Super Junior and Momo From Twice Split

K-pop stars Kim Hee-chul, from boy band Super Junior, and Momo, from girl group Twice, have split, their respective record labels said Thursday.

Local media reported Kim's agency, Label SJ, and JYP Entertainment, which manages Twice, confirmed the couple have parted ways but did provide more information.

Kim's agency Label SJ said: "We ask for your understanding," noting the agency won't provide further details about the breakup as it involves "the artist's private life," the Korean Economic Daily (also known as Hankyung) and other local media reported.

According to South Korea's Star Today, an unnamed industry source claimed the breakup was down to their busy work schedules. The source told Star Today: "Their relationship grew distant as both have very active work schedules. So they decided to go back to their previous platonic relationship."

Hee-chul and Momo Relationship Timeline

Kim and Momo were first rumored to be dating back in August 2019, which both K-pop stars denied at the time. They went public with their relationship in January 2020.

Star Today and other local media report that Hee-chul previously described Momo as his ideal partner during a variety program.

The pair were known to have a friendly relationship as colleagues in the industry before they became a couple.

South Korea's Yonhap reported the 13 year age gap between Heechul, who is 37, and Momo, who is 24, drew a lot of attention to their relationship.

Career History

Hee-chul made his debut as an actor in the youth K-drama Sharp in 2005 before he joined Super Junior later that year. He currently features in several variety programs including My Little Old Boy on South Korea's SBS channel and Knowing Bros (also known as Men on a Mission), which airs on the country's JTBC channel and is available on Netflix.

The K-pop boy band released several chart-topping records, including "Sorry Sorry" in 2009. The song and album of the same name helped catapult the group to international fame, seeing much success across other parts of Asia, MTV News reported in 2019.

The group went on to win several national music awards in South Korea as well as ones abroad, including International Artist at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards, becoming the first Korean artist to win the award, according to MTV News.

Momo (whose full name is Momo Hirai) is a singer, rapper and dancer born in Kyoto, Japan. She made her debut in 2015 with the launch of Twice, which has nine members. She is one of three Japanese members in the girl group.

The K-pop band went on to release several hit songs including "Cheer Up," "TT," "Yes or Yes" and "Feel Special," among others.