Top actor Lee Byung-hun and actress Lee Min-jeong both denied reports that they are dating, despite many witnesses.

They are close but are not in a romantic relationship, their agencies said soon after local media reported on Monday that the two have been seeing each other since earlier this year.

An acquaintance of Lee Byung-hun, however, told The Korea Herald that Lee recently visited her home and mentioned the actress as his current girlfriend when asked about his private life. He seemed to be thinking of marriage, she said.

According to reports by local media which quoted multiple showbiz insiders, the two fell in love after seeing each other several times at awards ceremonies in 2010.

“Lee Byung-hun invited Lee Min-jeong to dine with his family at his house in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, right before his sister Lee Eun-hee got married earlier this year. The family is also fond of them dating,” an insider was quoted as saying.

Only their closest friends are aware of the two dating, another insider was quoted as saying. The two are said to be enjoying secretive dates near Lee Byung-hun’s house to stay away from the public eye.

Lee Byung-hun, 42, who has starred in hit films including “G.I. Joe,” “The Good, The Bad, and The Weird” and dramas like “All In” and “Iris” is currently filming his first period film, “King of Joseon.”

Lee Min-jeong, 30, shot to stardom after starring in the 2009 KBS 2TV drama “Boys over Flowers.” She is cast as the heroine of the KBS 2TV drama tentatively named “Big” which will air in June.

By Park Min-young (claire@heraldcorp.com)