Hyun Bin and Song Hye-kyo call it quits

Hyun Bin and Song Hye-kyo on official poster for KBS TV series "Worlds Within" (2008) [KBS]

After months of speculation and rumor, actor Hyun Bin and actress Song Hye-kyo confirmed they have broken up after close to two years as one of the highest-profile celebrity couples.

"The two had naturally drifted apart being busy with their respective shoots for dramas and movies, as well as pursuing activities overseas, and they were also stressed with groundless rumors of them breaking up and excessive interest in them so they only grew further apart without having time to overcome these matters," Hyun Bin's agency AM Entertainment explained in a press release.

"Early this year, they agreed to split up but did not announce this officially because they did not want the public to turn their attention to their breakup instead of their work nor let the personal issue be a hindrance to the last day Hyun Bin would have with his fans upon entering the military," AM went onto state.

Talk that the two, dating after meeting as co-stars on KBS TV series "World's Within" in late 2008, were no longer an item had first surfaced since early last year but both had denied their relationship was off or kept mum on the issue.

They stayed silent on their breakup when Hyun Bin promoted his films "Late Autumn" and "Come Rain, Come Shine" last month and even until yesterday when he entered Korea's Marine Corps as part of fulfilling the two-year duty required of all Korean men.

Song, 29, had appeared in a string of dramas and sitcoms since her debut 1996 and shot to fame in hit KBS TV series "Autumn Fairy Tale" (KBS, 2000) co-starring Hallyu stars Won Bin and Song Seung-hun.

She gained increasing popularity throughout Asia with her roles in several successful TV shows thereafter including "All In" (SBS, 2003) opposite Lee Byung-hun and "Full House" (KBS, 2004) alongside Asian pop sensation Rain.

Hyun Bin, 28, had been one of the most popular and sought-after actors in Korea after starring in smash hit SBS TV series "Secret Garden" which ended its two-month run in mid-January this year.

He first rose to fame after starring in smash hit series "My Name is Kim Sam-soon" alongside actress Kim Suna in 2005.

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Jessica Kim jesskim@