Hey, K-pop and K-drama fans! Jo Yu-ri is stealing the spotlight in 2025 with her soulful music and gripping performance in Squid Game Season 3, which dropped on Netflix on June 27, 2025. As she gears up for her third mini-album, Episode 25, set to release on July 14, 2025, with the heartfelt title track “Farewell for Now!,” fans are buzzing with excitement. But alongside her career highs, one question keeps popping up: who is Jo Yu-ri dating?
With curiosity swirling, let’s dive into her relationship status with empathetic lens, aiming to give you the clarity you crave while staying true to integrity and transparency. Buckle up as we explore what we know, what’s just speculation, and why her love life has fans so intrigued.
A Star on the Rise: Who Is Jo Yu-ri?
Before we get to the dating scoop, let’s talk about the woman behind the headlines. Jo Yu-ri, born October 22, 2001, is a 23-year-old South Korean singer and actress who’s been winning hearts since her days in IZONE, a K-pop group formed through Produce 48 in 2018, where she snagged third place. After IZONE disbanded in April 2021, she launched a solo career with her debut single album Glassy in October 2021, earning Rookie of the Year nominations.
Her discography includes hits like “Taxi” from her 2022 EP Love All and the upcoming Episode 25, featuring tracks like “Time of Dogs and Cats” and “HICCUP.” As an actress, she’s made waves in Mimicry (2022) and now as Jun-hee (Player 222) in Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3, plus a role in the upcoming Netflix thriller Variety with Son Ye-jin, set to start filming in July 2025. Known to fans as “Joyul” or “Hamster Yul,” she’s a powerhouse with a vibrant “Gen Z wannabe” vibe on social media.
Is Jo Yu-ri Dating Anyone in 2025?
There’s no confirmed news that Jo Yu-ri is dating anyone. The K-pop idol and actress has kept her personal life tightly under wraps, a common practice for South Korean celebrities due to the intense scrutiny they face.
Agencies like WAKEONE, which manages Jo Yu-ri, often discourage public relationships to protect idols’ careers and maintain their appeal to fans. Despite her skyrocketing fame, especially after Squid Game Season 3, Jo Yu-ri hasn’t shared any hints about a boyfriend or romantic partner on her social media or in interviews.
Her focus seems laser-locked on her music comeback and acting projects, suggesting she’s prioritizing her career over romance right now.
The Im Si-wan Rumor: What’s the Deal?
One name that keeps surfacing in dating rumors is Im Si-wan, Jo Yu-ri’s co-star in Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3. Their on-screen chemistry as ex-lovers Jun-hee and Myung-gi—a pregnant woman and a crypto-scamming YouTuber—has fans buzzing.
The characters’ emotional, tangled history, combined with a viral social media post from June 2025 showing them looking cozy at a New York Squid Game event, sparked speculation. Fans gushed, “They look so good together!” But let’s set the record straight: there’s no evidence of a real-life romance.
The age gap between Jo Yu-ri (23) and Im Si-wan (36), a 13-year difference, has also been a hot topic, with some fans surprised and others noting their youthful on-screen dynamic makes it less noticeable.
In interviews, Jo Yu-ri described their professional bond, saying she admired Im Si-wan’s guidance on set, but she emphasized their relationship as strictly professional, with mutual respect for each other’s craft.
Jo Yu-ri’s Dating History: Any Past Romances?
Since her debut with IZ*ONE, no verified reports have linked her to any romantic partners. In 2023, some outlets speculated about her love life as her acting career took off, but no concrete details emerged. K-pop idols often face strict agency rules about dating, especially early in their careers, and Jo Yu-ri, being relatively young and still building her solo path, likely faces similar constraints.
Unlike some celebrities who’ve been caught in dating scandals, Jo Yu-ri has stayed clear of such headlines. This lack of confirmed relationships doesn’t mean she’s never dated—only that she’s managed to keep it out of the public eye, which is no small feat in the K-pop world.
What Jo Yu-ri Says About Love and Relationships
While Jo Yu-ri hasn’t spilled any tea on her dating life, she’s dropped hints about her views on love through her work. Her songs, like “Loveable” from Love All, explore themes of affection and connection, suggesting a romantic side to her artistry.
In a 2024 interview about Squid Game, she talked about tapping into Jun-hee’s mixed feelings of love and resentment toward her ex, Myung-gi, saying it required her to imagine deep emotional ties. This shows she’s thoughtful about relationships, even if she’s not sharing personal details. Her focus on authenticity in her roles and music makes fans feel connected to her, even without knowing if she’s dating.
The Role of Squid Game in Fueling Rumors
Jo Yu-ri’s role as Jun-hee in Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3 has been a game-changer, but it’s also stirred the dating rumor pot. Playing a pregnant woman with a complicated ex, portrayed by Im Si-wan, her scenes are packed with raw emotion—love, betrayal, and heartbreak. Fans have latched onto this chemistry, especially after a January 2025 YouTube video titled “Jo Yu-ri and Yim Si-wan flirting (in their own way) for 5 minutes” went viral.
The video, showing behind-the-scenes moments, is clearly playful, but it’s easy to see why fans might hope for more. Jo Yu-ri addressed this in a Marie Claire interview, saying she and Im Si-wan worked hard to make their characters’ history believable, but she laughed off any real-life romance rumors, calling him a “supportive sunbae” (senior colleague).
Fan Reactions: Supportive or Speculative?
Jo Yu-ri’s fans, affectionately called “Joyul supporters” or tied to the IZONE “WIZONE” community, have mixed feelings about her dating life. Some are protective, hoping she’s happy whether single or not, as seen in a June 2025 online discussion where a fan wrote, “If she has someone, it doesn’t matter.
I hope they’re happy.” Others are curious, especially about Im Si-wan, with comments like, “They look so good together, but he’s so much older!” The age gap debate—13 years—has sparked both surprise and acceptance, with some fans noting Im Si-wan’s youthful looks make it less jarring. Overall, her fans respect her privacy but can’t help wondering who might capture her heart.
What About Other Speculated Names?
Besides Im Si-wan, no other names have been seriously linked to Jo Yu-ri in 2025. Past rumors about IZONE members or other co-stars, like those mentioned in a 2023 Koreaboo article about Im Si-wan’s alleged ties to an IZONE member, were vague and unconfirmed, likely not even about Jo Yu-ri.
Her clean slate in the rumor mill is impressive, given how often K-pop idols face speculation. For now, any talk of her dating is just that—talk—without solid evidence. Fans hoping for a love story might have to settle for her romantic ballads instead.
Jo Yu-ri’s Focus: Career Over Romance?
Looking at Jo Yu-ri’s 2025 schedule, it’s clear she’s all about her craft. Her Episode 25 album, with its mix of introspective and upbeat tracks, shows her musical growth. Her Squid Game role has earned her global praise, with fans on platforms like AsianWiki calling her performance “nothing but good.”
Her upcoming role in Variety, alongside Son Ye-jin, hints at more acting ambitions. With all this on her plate, dating might not be her priority. In a December 2024 Marie Claire interview, she shared how she poured her energy into researching Jun-hee’s pregnancy scenes, showing her dedication. This hustle suggests she’s channeling her passion into her work, leaving little room for public romance.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Jo Yu-ri?
As Jo Yu-ri prepares for Episode 25 and Variety in 2025, her star is only getting brighter. Whether she’s single or keeping a relationship under wraps, her focus on music and acting is undeniable. Fans can look forward to her new tracks, like “Farewell for Now!,” which might hint at her emotional world, and her next acting role, which could spark more on-screen chemistry (and rumors). For now, the only confirmed “relationship” is her love affair with her craft and her fans, who continue to shower her with support.
Conclusion
There’s no solid evidence she’s in a relationship, and rumors about Im Si-wan or others remain just that: rumors. Jo Yu-ri’s journey—from IZ*ONE to Squid Game to her upcoming album—shows she’s pouring her heart into her work, and that’s what makes her so special.
As fans, we can satisfy our curiosity by enjoying her music, cheering her acting. Whether she’s single or secretly smitten, Jo Yu-ri’s talent and charm keep us connected to her story. Let’s keep supporting her, with empathy and trust, as she shines brighter than ever.
