Woo Do-hwan, the talented South Korean actor known for standout roles in ‘The King: Eternal Monarch,’ ‘Joseon Attorney,’ and ‘Bloodhounds,’ has fans hooked not only on his acting but also his personal life—especially his dating status. A few years back, rumors were flying about him and fellow actress Moon Ga-young, but was it ever confirmed?
Fast forward to 2024, and Woo Do-hwan is starring in the South Korean Netflix rom-com ‘Mr. Plankton’ alongside Lee Yoo-mi, Oh Jung-se, and Kim Hae-sook. The series follows a guy named Hae-jo (Do-hwan), who ends up with the wrong name by accident and somehow gets stuck with the world’s unluckiest woman (Yoo-mi) as his companion. The show hit Netflix on November 8, 2024.
Woo Do-hwan’s Girlfriend Was Rumored to Be His ‘Tempted’ Co-Star Moon Ga-young
Back in May 2018, rumors began to spread that ‘Tempted’ co-stars Woo Do-hwan and Moon Ga-young had started dating during filming. Insiders claimed the two grew close on set and weren’t shy about showing affection. This news went against earlier gossip that linked Woo Do-hwan with another co-star, Red Velvet’s Joy.
One staff member from the show hinted they expected the relationship would eventually come to light and wished the young actors well. But Moon Ga-young’s agency, SM Culture & Contents, said they hadn’t heard anything about the two dating, just that they were close as coworkers.
Later, both Woo Do-hwan and Moon Ga-young’s agencies denied the dating rumors. Woo Do-hwan’s agency, Key East Entertainment, clarified that they were already friends before filming began. Similarly, SM C&C confirmed they were just friends and emphasized that while they have a strong bond, it’s purely platonic.
In November 2019, OSEN reported that people in Seoul’s Geumho-dong neighborhood spotted the two hanging out—taking walks hand-in-hand, grabbing coffee, and just chilling together. They apparently had secret coffee shop dates near Kumho-dong, Seongdong-gu where the actor lived. But just like the last time, the reps from both camps insisted the two were no more than friends.
A few months later in March 2020, there were rumors that Woo Do-hwan unfollowed Moon Ga-young and even unliked all her photos. Many fans assumed they had dated in secret and quietly broken up.
In July 2020, Woo started his military service, trained as a company commander intern, and graduated as a student leader. He was officially discharged on January 5, 2022, after taking his final leave without needing to go back to base. The following year, he made his on-screen return in ‘My Heart Puppy’ and ‘Joseon Attorney,’ much to the delight of his fans.
In 2023, fans started shipping Woo Do-hwan with his ‘Joseon Attorney’ co-star Kim Ji-yeon, aka Bona, but it was all just speculation with no real evidence that they were more than colleagues. This wasn’t the first time he’d been “shipped” with a co-star. As mentioned earlier, fans paired him with Red Velvet’s Joy (Park Soo-young) after they starred together in ‘Tempted’ (2018).
As of 2024, Woo Do-hwan seems to be single—or at least he’s not dating anyone publicly. There’s no hint of a relationship on his social media, especially on Instagram, and no rumors or reports linking him to anyone. Even if he does have a secret girlfriend or, in an unlikely scenario, is married to a mysterious wife, it’s probably staying under wraps for now.
Woo Do-hwan Might Be Single, But His Approach to Dating is Refreshingly Real!
In a candid 2020 interview, Woo Do-hwan opened up about his dating style, describing himself as respectful and straightforward. He admitted he’s not great at “playing hard to get” and would rather be honest about his feelings right from the start, skipping the usual back-and-forth of early-stage flirting.
Woo Do-hwan shared that he treats his girlfriends with a lot of respect, keeping in mind that each one is “someone else’s precious daughter.” He prioritizes being thoughtful and polite, making sure his actions show how much he cares.
When it comes to finding a partner or a wife, he’s looking for someone he can vibe with—especially someone who has a sense of humor that can brighten his day. Age isn’t a big deal to him either. Even though he hasn’t dated an older woman before, he’s open to it, as long as the age difference isn’t too drastic.
Netflix’s Mr. Plankton: Woo Do-hwan and His Ex-Girlfriend Lee Yoo-mi Face Life’s Final Curveballs
Netflix’s new series ‘Mr. Plankton’ puts a fresh twist on romantic comedies, exploring isolation, human connection, and surprising companionship. Created by Jo-yong (the mind behind ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’) and directed by Hong Jong-chan (‘Juvenile Justice’), the story follows two “lost souls”—Hae-jo (played by Woo Do-hwan), who’s never quite felt like he fits in, and Jae-mi (Lee Yoo-mi), who feels trapped in her own life.
The plot takes an emotional turn when Hae-jo, who has a terminal brain tumor, reconnects with his ex, Jae-mi, who’s struggling with premature menopause and her dream of having a family. Their reunion stirs up big changes, including putting a halt to Jae-mi’s upcoming wedding when Hae-jo boldly asks her to escape her life with him. The show revolves around their layered connection, with both characters facing big, life-altering challenges.
‘Mr. Plankton’ looks set to balance humor with heartfelt moments as Hae-jo and Jae-mi explore identity, love, and the search for purpose. As they journey together, they confront their past and present struggles, with the series promising a mix of joy, healing, and all the messy beauty life brings. The show premiered on Netflix on November 8.
