AKMU's Lee Chanhyuk Features Rumored Girlfriend Ha Ji Su in New Music Video

AKMU has released the music video for "Paradise of Rumors" (소문의 낙원), a pre-release single from the sibling duo's sixth studio album "FLOWERING" (개화), and it has fans talking for more than just the music. Actress Ha Ji Su, long rumored to be in a relationship with AKMU's Lee Chanhyuk, appears in the video — and the circumstances of her appearance have only deepened the intrigue surrounding the pair.

The music video dropped on April 3, 2026 (KST) through AKMU's official YouTube channel, featuring Ha Ji Su among a cast of more than 20 performers. Though her screen time is brief, she participates in the choreography and gets a short solo shot that viewers noticed almost immediately. Within hours of the release, fans had tracked down the detail, and her name was trending across Korean entertainment platforms.

The Song and Its Dreamy Atmosphere

Before diving into the speculation, it's worth noting what the song itself brings to the table. "Paradise of Rumors" is a gentle, country-folk track that showcases AKMU's signature warmth. Lee Suhyun's vocals carry an airy, comforting quality that fans have described as deeply soothing. Listeners on social media compared the feeling of watching the video to playing Animal Crossing — peaceful, unhurried, and genuinely nice.

The song serves as a pre-release ahead of AKMU's sixth full-length album "FLOWERING" (개화), continuing a tradition of the duo releasing thoughtful, emotionally resonant music that stands apart from mainstream K-pop trends. The MV's visual palette is soft and warm, matching the acoustic gentleness of the track and providing a romantic backdrop for what viewers quickly turned into a lens for reading the relationship between Chanhyuk and Ha Ji Su.

Ha Ji Su's Appearance — and What Makes It Significant

The most-discussed aspect of the MV is not the song itself but the guest appearance. Ha Ji Su's agency SWMP confirmed her involvement, stating simply that it was correct that she appeared in the "Paradise of Rumors" music video. What they also noted — and what has fueled more speculation — is that she participated independently, without the arrangement going through official company channels.

That detail immediately raised eyebrows. In South Korea's entertainment industry, agency involvement is standard procedure for most professional collaborations. When an actress chooses to appear in something personally, outside the normal professional pipeline, it sends a message that fans were quick to interpret. The combination of a pre-existing romantic rumor and an apparently personal decision to appear in Chanhyuk's video made for compelling reading.

YG Entertainment, which manages AKMU, offered its standard response regarding the relationship question: the matter concerned private life, and so they were unable to confirm anything. Ha Ji Su's agency did not add further comment beyond confirming her appearance.

The History Between Lee Chanhyuk and Ha Ji Su

The dating rumors did not begin with this video. They surfaced in January 2025, following Ha Ji Su's appearance in the music video for "Dance" (춤), a single from Lee Chanhyuk's solo project "이찬혁비디오" from the album "Umbrella" (우산). In that video, the two actors portrayed a young couple with clear romantic chemistry, and reports at the time suggested their personal relationship had developed during or after filming.

The agencies' non-committal responses in early 2025 neither confirmed nor denied the story, and without a direct statement, public attention eventually shifted elsewhere. Then came "Paradise of Rumors." Ha Ji Su's reappearance in another of Chanhyuk's projects — this time making a more visible choice to show up independently — has revived the question with noticeably more momentum.

Fan and Netizen Reactions

Reactions across Korean platforms — including theqoo, Nate, and various fan communities — have been largely warm. Fans of AKMU praised the song's soothing quality and expressed genuine affection for the duo's musical identity. On the subject of Ha Ji Su, the responses ranged from playful approval ("They really just confirmed it themselves") to genuine support for a potential relationship. The mood was notably more celebratory than skeptical, a reflection of the goodwill AKMU has built over years of earnest, high-quality work.

Some commented specifically on the lyrical choice of the title — "Paradise of Rumors" — as a kind of self-aware nod to the very speculation the MV was generating. Whether intentional or coincidental, the song's name added a layer of amusement to the discourse.

AKMU's Place in K-Pop

AKMU — the sibling duo of Lee Chanhyuk and Lee Suhyun — debuted in 2014 after winning the second season of Superstar K in 2012. Over the years, they have built a distinctive identity as musicians who prioritize songwriting craft and emotional sincerity over spectacle. Chanhyuk handles most of the composing and production; Suhyun brings a vocal agility and natural presence that elevates the material further.

Their music does not always compete at the top of real-time charts, but their albums consistently generate long-term engagement and critical affection. "FLOWERING" arrives as the sixth studio album in a catalog that has given Korean popular music some of its most quietly beloved songs. "Paradise of Rumors" suggests the album will continue in that tradition — and if the buzz around the MV is any indication, it will do so with a little extra intrigue along for the ride.

The full album "FLOWERING" is expected to release shortly after the pre-release single. Until then, fans will have both the song and the ongoing question of Chanhyuk and Ha Ji Su's relationship to keep the conversation going.

What to Expect From FLOWERING

With "Paradise of Rumors" already generating significant attention, the anticipation for the full "FLOWERING" album has intensified. AKMU has always approached albums as cohesive artistic statements, and early signals suggest "FLOWERING" will follow that tradition. The album title evokes themes of growth and revelation that resonate with both the pre-release single and the narrative fans are constructing around Lee Chanhyuk and Ha Ji Su.

For longtime followers of the duo, the quiet confidence embedded in their rollout strategy is familiar. AKMU rarely chases trends, and yet their music consistently finds an audience ready for exactly what they offer. "FLOWERING" arrives at a moment when many listeners are craving unhurried, craft-driven pop. If "Paradise of Rumors" is a reliable preview, the full album is on track to be one of the more emotionally satisfying K-pop releases of 2026.