Soo-young (left) and Jung Kyung-ho

Soo-young of Girls' Generation and actor Jung Kyung-ho have been dating since early last year, they said last week through their respective agencies. They became acquainted as they attend the same church and went to the same university.

Rumors that they were romantically engaged began circulating in February and cropped up again in October, but on both occasions their agencies denied them as being groundless.

Given their celebrity status, and Soo-young's position as a member of a girl band, they wanted to keep their relationship out of the public eye for as long as possible, they said.

Jung is currently shooting a film that is due to be released this year, while Soo-young is hosting a TV show on SBS.