One of the most taboo and sensitive topic when it comes to the K-pop industry is dating. Most idols have restrictions when it comes to dating because it might stoop their boy-friend image they exhibit. Inspite of that there are several idols who publicly announced that they were dating. (More power to them!)
There are even idols who are married to non-celebrities who are building a life alongside their idol duties by getting married and having children. One international fan recently gone viral after her tweet about the taboo topic of K-pop idols dating. Know more about why the tweet went viral?
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Why Was The Tweet Viral?
A fan tweeted about the dark side of K-pop music industry: the idols dating life. Her tweet has gained over 400,000 likes on Twitter. In her tweet she explained how shocking it was that K-Pop idols feel the need to hide their relationships. She also added that it was really shocking that idols have to apologize publicly if the news is revealed.
isn’t it insane how kpop idols have to hide their partners, and if they get caught not being single they’re forced to APOLOGISE for ruining the delusion of their fans’ parasocial relationships
— yasmin (@ycsm1n) November 8, 2022
Even though, the toxic ideology that idols should never date is changing, this tweet has raised certain level of awareness to fans about how not to treat their idols. Mostly, the news of idols dating is revealed through news outlets such as Dispatch. When the news is released, most idols issue public “apologies.”
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Who Are The Idols Who Publicly Revealed They Are Dating?
K-Pop Idol Crush’s relationship with Red Velvet’s Joy was released earlier this year. After the reveal, the ‘Crush Hour‘ singer shared a statement where he apologized to his fans. His statement read, “My heart is heavy thinking about my fans that will be even more taken aback at the sudden news and also perhaps even sad about it.. I’ll be grateful if you can look upon us positively with benevolence. I will make sure to take responsibility and show everyone who has always supported me unconditionally and supported me with love, a good side of me.”
Similarly, after iKON‘s Bobby announced he was getting married and having a child, his own Instagram post included the phrase, “I sincerely apologize to those who feel hurt or confused by this.” When HyunA and DAWN announced their relationship, they were made to leave CUBE Entertainment. Although HyunA was a soloist and could continue performing, DAWN was made to leave PENTAGON.
Idols issue apologies because of the narrative K-Pop companies set around their idols. Fans are enforced with ideologies that the idols are an ‘object’ that’s exclusively owned by the fans. These ideas which aren’t “normal” stop idols from having a normal dating life without having repercussions from fans. There were several incidents wherein Korean fans protested against a company to let go of the idol whose dating life was revealed to the public. Idols also should stop encouraging fans to have para-social relationship ideologies.
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Fans Reaction To The Tweet
Several fans tweeted that the K-pop industry is making the lives of the idols very hard. One user tweeted, “I blame the company for this nonsense cause wdym I have to sing about love but I’m not allowed to love someone??” Although there were several tweets that supported idols who want to have a normal dating life. There were several tweets that exhibited toxicity. One tweet in particular read, “I unfollow celebs once I find out they are in a relationship b/c that means I can’t get with them. (Yes I know I wouldn’t have anyway) but it ruins the fun.”
I unfollow celebs once I find out they are in a relationship b/c that means I can’t get with them. (Yes I know I wouldn’t have anyway) but it ruins the fun.
— Alissa (@Alissawinkwink) November 8, 2022
I’ve seen this interesting comment on a reddit news post that explains some of the nuance pic.twitter.com/f2PtMLJc2k
— chris🐒 (@LuffySupremacy) November 9, 2022
The issue of dating in K-Pop is also something Western stars are shocked about. Musician Christopher appeared on Lee Young Ji’s drinking show, and during the episode, the idol shared his shock at the approach to musicians dating in Korea. “I heard that’s the thing here like you can’t have a nice relationship and be a pop star,” Christopher said.
Kpop culture is bad
— jeon jungkook (@jeonbizzle97) November 11, 2022
