Lee Chae Min

Lee Chae Min GF: How Bon Appétit Star Defends His Girlfriend Ryu Da In

When Lee Chae Min gf Ryu Da In faced online hate, the rising K-drama star didn't stay silent. Lee Chae Min, fresh off his breakout role in Bon Appétit, Your…

January 31, 2026
10 min read

When Lee Chae Min gf Ryu Da In faced online hate, the rising K-drama star didn’t stay silent. Lee Chae Min, fresh off his breakout role in Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, proved he’s not just a talented actor—he’s a devoted boyfriend willing to stand up for his relationship.

Who is Lee Chae Min’s Girlfriend?

Lee Chae Min gf is actress Ryu Da In, born in 2000 (same age as Lee Chae Min). The couple met while filming the 2023 tvN drama Crash Course in Romance, where they played best friends. Their on-screen chemistry translated into real-life romance, and they publicly confirmed their relationship in March 2024.

Lee Chae Min & Ryu Da In: Quick Facts

DetailInformation
Relationship StatusDating (since early 2024)
How They MetCrash Course in Romance co-stars (2023)
Public ConfirmationMarch 2024
Lee Chae Min’s Age25 years old (born 2000)
Ryu Da In’s Age25 years old (born 2000)
Ryu Da In’s Breakout RolePyramid Game (2024)
Notable Couple ItemsMatching silver rings
Recent MilestoneFirst anniversary (2025)

The Love Story: From Co-Stars to Couple

The Lee Chae Min gf romance began in late 2023 when they worked together on Crash Course in Romance, starring Jung Kyung Ho and Jeon Do Yeon. After the drama wrapped, paparazzi spotted them holding hands on a date, with photos showing Ryu Da In’s car entering Lee Chae Min’s luxury building in Seoul’s UN Village.

Unlike many celebrity couples who deny relationships initially, both GOLDMEDALIST (Lee Chae Min’s former agency) and Ryu Da In’s agency quickly confirmed they were “meeting with romantic interest.”

Their openness about dating stands out in an industry where rookie actors often hide relationships to protect their careers—a refreshing approach that earned them praise from fans.

When Fame Brought Trolls: Protecting His Girlfriend

Following Lee Chae Min’s explosive popularity from Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (which peaked at 17.1% viewership ratings), Lee Chae Min gf Ryu Da In became a target for hate comments. New fans who developed crushes on the actor flooded her Instagram with malicious messages, claiming their relationship “broke the suspension of disbelief” when watching his dramas.

How Lee Chae Min Responded

Rather than ignoring the trolls, Lee Chae Min took action:

Public Date: In October 2025, the couple was spotted enjoying lunch at a Seoul restaurant, sending a clear message that hate wouldn’t affect their relationship.

Sweet Gestures: According to eyewitnesses, Lee Chae Min cooked savory pancakes himself to serve his girlfriend at the restaurant—a touching display of affection that went viral.

Interview Statements: When asked about wearing couple rings, Lee Chae Min acknowledged the relationship while maintaining privacy: “I wore the ring as part of my fashion… honestly, it was my mistake for not being more careful.”

Professional Focus: He stated his public relationship “gives me more passion to immerse myself in the role” rather than creating pressure.

This protective stance mirrors healthy celebrity relationships where partners support each other publicly, similar to other K-drama couples who’ve navigated fame together.

The Lovestagram Controversy

The Lee Chae Min gf relationship gained attention through alleged “Lovestagram” posts—when couples post similar or matching content on Instagram without explicitly tagging each other. Fans noticed:

  • Both posted birthday celebrations with identical candles
  • Matching silver rings worn on their index fingers
  • Similar aesthetic photo styles

During a Bon Appétit, Your Majesty wrap-up interview, Lee Chae Min addressed the speculation: “It wasn’t intentional or meant to show off our relationship… It was a coincidence.” He expressed gratitude for increased interest in his personal life while clarifying they weren’t deliberately posting coordinated content.

Interestingly, fans also noticed Lee Chae Min liked all of Ryu Da In’s Instagram photos except those where she wore swimsuits—a respectful boundary that endeared him further to supporters.

Ryu Da In: More Than Just “Lee Chae Min’s Girlfriend”

While searches for “Lee Chae Min gf” often focus on their relationship, Ryu Da In is an accomplished actress in her own right:

Career Highlights:

  • Debut: 18 Again (2020)
  • Breakout Role: Pyramid Game (2024)
  • Upcoming Project: SBS drama Awakening (2026)
  • Height: 174cm (5’8.5″)—creating a striking visual couple with Lee Chae Min’s 190cm (6’3″)

Her talent extends beyond being a celebrity girlfriend, though the relationship has inevitably brought additional scrutiny to her work and social media presence.

Recent Milestones: First Anniversary Celebration

In November 2025, Lee Chae Min gf Ryu Da In celebrated their first anniversary with a romantic restaurant date. A Sinsa-dong establishment shared photos of signed messages from both actors:

  • Lee Chae Min: “Thank you always”
  • Ryu Da In: “I always enjoy the food here. Wishing you great success.”

Though posted on different days (November 4 and 6), fans deduced they dined together, marking over a year of dating despite facing online hate and intense public scrutiny.

This milestone celebration shows their relationship has survived the initial “honeymoon phase” and evolved into something deeper—impressive for young actors navigating demanding careers.

Why Fans Support This Couple

Unlike previous K-drama relationship reveals that sparked backlash, the Lee Chae Min gf relationship received largely positive reactions:

Same Age Relationship: Both born in 2000, they’re peers rather than having a significant age gap—refreshing in an industry where older male actors often date much younger women.

Transparency: Their immediate confirmation and refusal to hide the relationship built trust with fans who appreciate honesty over secretive behavior.

Respectful Boundaries: Despite being public, they maintain privacy about intimate details and don’t exploit the relationship for publicity.

Professional Success: Both continue thriving in their careers, proving dating doesn’t derail ambitions—Ryu Da In starred in Pyramid Game while Lee Chae Min became 2025’s breakout star.

Mutual Support: They celebrate each other’s achievements without jealousy or competition, modeling healthy relationship dynamics.

These qualities resonate with MZ generation fans (Millennials and Gen Z) who value authenticity and equality in relationships, similar to evolving attitudes seen in other K-pop celebrity relationships.

The Model Couple Aesthetic

With Lee Chae Min standing at 190cm (6’3″) and Ryu Da In at 174cm (5’8.5″), netizens dubbed them a “model couple” for their striking visual chemistry. When spotted on dates, restaurant staff consistently praised their appearance—he for his handsome features even behind a mask, she for her petite features and perfect proportions.

This visual compatibility, combined with their genuine affection, has made them couple goals for young Korean fans who see them as representation of modern love.

What Makes Their Relationship Work

Industry insiders attribute the Lee Chae Min gf relationship’s success to several factors:

Shared Experience: Meeting through acting means they understand each other’s demanding schedules, late-night shoots, and career pressures that non-industry partners might not comprehend.

Similar Values: Both prioritize career growth while making time for relationship nurturing—a balance that prevents resentment or neglect.

Agency Support: Unlike some entertainment companies that enforce dating bans, both actors received freedom to date openly, reducing stress and secrecy.

Emotional Maturity: At 25, both demonstrate impressive emotional intelligence in handling public scrutiny without lashing out or creating drama.

Mutual Respect: Lee Chae Min’s protective stance and Ryu Da In’s support of his career success show reciprocal care rather than one-sided devotion.

Career Impact: Does Dating Help or Hurt?

For Lee Chae Min, dating openly seems to have enhanced his public image:

Positive Reception: Netizens commented that his thoughtful relationship behavior makes them believe he’s equally dedicated professionally.

Relatability: Being in a relationship makes him seem more accessible and human rather than an untouchable idol.

Maturity Perception: Handling relationship scrutiny with grace suggests professionalism that casting directors value.

Fan Loyalty: True supporters appreciate his honesty and wish him happiness, creating a more sustainable fanbase than those built on romantic fantasy.

After Bon Appétit, Your Majesty concluded, Lee Chae Min signed with Baro Entertainment (also home to Byeon Woo Seok), positioning himself for major roles ahead—proof that his relationship didn’t damage career prospects.

The Broader K-Drama Dating Culture

The Lee Chae Min gf situation reflects changing attitudes toward celebrity relationships in Korea:

Historical Context: Traditionally, especially for rookies, public relationships were career suicide as fans felt “betrayed” learning their favorite stars were dating.

Shift in Progress: Couples like Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin (married after Crash Landing on You) normalized dating revelations, paving the way for younger actors.

Remaining Challenges: Despite progress, malicious comments on Ryu Da In’s Instagram show that toxic fan behavior persists, particularly when male idols/actors become overnight sensations.

Agency Calculations: Companies now weigh whether openness builds trust or alienates fans—Lee Chae Min’s positive reception suggests transparency can work for the right couples.

Similar dynamics play out across Korean entertainment, where the industry slowly evolves toward healthier boundaries between celebrities’ personal and professional lives.

What’s Next for the Couple?

As of early 2025, the Lee Chae Min gf relationship shows no signs of slowing down. With Lee Chae Min’s star continuing to rise and Ryu Da In’s Awakening drama premiering soon, they’ll face continued public scrutiny.

Potential Challenges:

  • Increased fame attracting more attention to their relationship
  • Scheduling conflicts as both book more projects
  • Ongoing hate from fans who can’t accept Lee Chae Min dating
  • Industry pressure to hide the relationship if it becomes commercially problematic

Reasons for Optimism:

  • One year together proves they’ve weathered initial storms
  • Both committed to transparency and supporting each other
  • Positive public reception outweighs negativity
  • Similar ages and career trajectories create partnership equality

Whether they eventually marry like other K-drama couples or part ways amicably, they’ve already made their mark as a couple that refused to hide their love despite industry pressures.

FAQs

Q: Who is Lee Chae Min’s girlfriend and how did they meet?

A: Lee Chae Min’s girlfriend is actress Ryu Da In, born in 2000 (same age as him). They met while filming the 2023 tvN drama Crash Course in Romance, where they played best friends alongside lead actors Jung Kyung Ho and Jeon Do Yeon. After the drama wrapped in early 2024, paparazzi photos caught them holding hands on a date, leading both agencies to confirm they were “meeting with romantic interest” in March 2024. They’ve been publicly dating for over a year now, celebrating their first anniversary in November 2025.

Q: How did Lee Chae Min respond to hate comments targeting his girlfriend Ryu Da In?

A: After Lee Chae Min’s popularity exploded from Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, his girlfriend Ryu Da In’s Instagram was flooded with malicious comments from new fans. Lee Chae Min responded by taking her on a very public date in October 2025 at a Seoul restaurant, where he even cooked savory pancakes for her himself—sending a clear message that hate wouldn’t affect their relationship. In interviews, he addressed couple ring speculation candidly while maintaining boundaries, and stated his public relationship gives him “more passion to immerse myself in the role” rather than creating pressure. His protective stance earned praise from netizens who appreciated his maturity and loyalty.

Follow us on Google News Get real-time updates & exclusive tech coverage
Follow

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

wp_enqueue_script('jquery', false, [], false, true); // load in footer