IU and Lee Hyun Woo's Casual Night At The Movies Sparks Dating Rumors

Smart phones and social media are making it ever more difficult for celebrities to slip under the radar and enjoy a casual night out with friends.

When paparazzi and reporters are not in their faces, the young and famous are subjected to the prying eyes of their fans, and must deal with the backlash of their actions on the internet, even if what they were doing was totally innocent.

And thus is the case of singer IU and her friend, actor Lee Hyun Woo.

On August 8, couple of picture of the two taking in a late night movie were posted on the internet. Both were wearing baseball caps that covered their faces.

This promptly started a lot of buzz in fan communities that the two are dating.

In an effort to squash rumors as soon as possible, both IU and Lee Hyun Woo's agencies issued statements.

"First of all, the two didn't watch the movie alone; the managers were there too," explained the statement from LOEN Entertainment, IU's representatives. IU and Lee Hyun Woo are old friends so it's surprising that the fact that the two saw a movie together has become an issue."

The two stars met back in 2011 when a mutual friend, T-ara's Jiyeon introduced them. Lee Hyun Woo later appeared in IU's music video for "You and I" and the two have been close friends ever since. The pair also co-hosted SBS's Inkigayo music program together until IU's recent departure from the show.

A statement released by Keyeast Entertainment, Lee Hyun Woo's agency, reiterated what LOEN had said. "It is true that Lee Hyun Woo and IU went to see a movie together, but both had their managers and other staff members with them."

The statement also said that Lee Hyun Woo "knew the photos were being taking as they were taken so closely, but didn't stop them," giving more evidence that the actor and IU simply went to the movie as friends.

"They are friends of the same age so they occasionally meet up to eat or watch a movie. They met up on August 8 like usual," finished Keyeast's statement.

"All the two did was watch a movie together with their managers since they both had free time after IU finished filming her drama, 'You're the Best, Lee Soon Shin' on August 8," added LOEN.