(From left) Xian Lim and Iris Lee. Images: Instagram/@xianlimm, FILE PHOTOS
Three days after his exclusive interview with a lifestyle magazine confirming his dating status with Viva producer Iris Lee, Xian Lim shared on Instagram photos of their recent location shoot in Thailand.
In his post, Lim shared several photos of the shoot, including one where Lee and himself were sitting side by side on a director’s chair, appearing to be monitoring a scene for the still undisclosed project.
“Golden child Kuman Thong,” Lim said in the caption. Kuman Thong is a venerated child deity in Thailand believed to bring good luck to the household where it stood.
Lim’s Instagram post served as his first following his interview with Esquire Philippines magazine, which came out on May 2, where he set the record straight on his relationship with the Filipino-Chinese film producer to an end to speculations about their romance.
In his interview, Lim declared that he and Lee are “very happy” together, but he pointed out that she had nothing to do with Lim’s breakup with his then girlfriend of 12 years, Kim Chiu.
While he barely disclosed details of their relationship in the interview, it could be gleaned from this timeline below how it started or how they started catching feelings for each other, based on their own social media posts and interviews — from mysterious sightings on apparent dates to working together as filmmakers —
While it’s unknown how Lim and Lee met, the then-coworkers were seen together while working behind the scenes on the Vivamax series “Parang Kayo Pero Hindi.” Aside from Lim, the series also starred Kylie Verzosa and Marco Gumabao.
One of the photos showed Lim and Lee monitoring a scene, while they were seen enjoying dinner with the series’ production team in another image.
The Kapuso star has been part of Viva Artists Agency since 2018 after the expiration of his contract with ABS-CBN talent management arm Star Magic.
Lim was nowhere to be seen in Lee’s photos, but the actor-producer was tagged in the caption of her post.
2023: ‘Hello, Universe!’
One of the projects Lim took as a director and writer was the fantasy comedy film “Hello, Universe!” while Lee took on the role of a producer.
The movie, which tells the story of a man who gets another chance to live his life, stars Janno Gibbs, Benjie Paras, Anjo Yllana, and Maui Taylor. While the exact production date of the movie remains unknown, it was released in January 2023.
October 2023: ‘Baka nali-linlang lang kayo’
On the sidelines of “Linlang’s” thanksgiving press conference on Oct. 31 of last year, Lim’s then-girlfriend Chiu denied the rumors that she and Lim had broken up for good.
“Okay naman po kami ni Xi. Mapanlinlang lang ang showbiz, pero maayos naman [kami]. Masaya naman po,” Chiu said when asked about the allegations swirling around their then-relationship.
November 2023: Done for good?
While Chiu has yet to share her side of the story, Lim’s interview with the lifestyle magazine said the ex-partners “officially broke up in November 2023.”
Xian Lim and Kim Chiu | Image: Instagram/@xianlimm
The actor, however, didn’t disclose any details about their split and instead, pointed out that “unexpected happens” which led to them parting ways.
Dec. 1, 2023: ‘Sino ba si Iris Lee?’
Amid the breakup rumors hounding Lim and Chiu at the time, entertainment insider Ogie Diaz urged the “Love Die Repeat” star to reveal Lee’s identity on his showbiz vlog.
Diaz, however, noted that he personally doesn’t know Lee but caught wind of her identity on a showbiz forum on Reddit and rumors circulating on social media.
Dec. 23, 2023: End of Chiu and Lim’s love story
Chiu and Lim confirmed their split in separate statements on their respective Instagram accounts, with the latter hoping that his ex-girlfriend would “find happiness and love” despite their parting of ways.
May 2021: Out and about
Months after working together on “Parang Kayo Pero Hindi,” Lee piqued the interest of netizens after she and Lim went on a museum outing with cinematographer Lee Jake Mariano.
“Knowing our hearts beat as one at one point in our lives is truly something I will cherish for life,” Lim said of Chiu. “ My respect and admiration for you as a person, as an artist, and as someone I spent more than a decade with will always remain. I wish that you will find all the happiness and love you are searching for. You deserve nothing but the best.”
Feb. 13, 2024: Seen at a driving school
Two months after making his split with Chiu public, the actor made waves after he was spotted with Lee at a driving school, as seen in a group photo shared by Watanabe Riding Development on Facebook last Feb. 13.
Xian Lim and film producer Iris Lee. Image: Instagram/@xianlimm, Facebook/Watanabe Riding Development
Lim and Lee were joined by celebrity couple JK Labajo and Miss Universe Philippines 2024 candidate Dia Mate in a group photo.
March 2024: Location shoot in Bangkok
Lim and Lee again piqued dating rumors after they went on what seemed to be a location shoot in Bangkok, Thailand, with other companions.
Xian Lim and film producer Iris Lee with other companions in Thailand. Image: Instagram/@xianlimm
Both parties have yet to reveal if their Thailand trip, where they explored tourist attractions and a floating market, is poised for a potential film project, as of press time.
