It is well-known that dating is a sensitive topic for Korean pop icons especially in the first few years following their debut, which is why several companies, including JYP and YG implement dating bans.
It all stems from the possessive nature of Korean pop culture wherein fans believe that the icons are theirs and, therefore, should keep working hard and not date. If an idol steps out with romantic news, they are swamped with negative comments and as a consequence, numerous fans revoke their interest from the rumored idols.
The dating news hurts not just the celebrity but also the company and this is why they would refute it in most circumstances especially when there are no photographic evidence.
Now, we're going to take a look at a few Korean pop icons who chose love over their careers depsite the negative comments from fans.
1. SOM HYE IN
Around a few years ago, she came out as a lesbian, sharing pictures with her girlfriend through Instagram. As expected, netizens attacked her with discriminatory abusive messages.
In case you think about the "school bully" portion, that's because she made headlines when a high school friend accused her of bullying. She soon came to justify with a comment that she did not abuse her and was just a bystander to the harassment that occurred to her. She also narrated that she said something she hadn't been supposed to have spoken and upset the person who is being bullied.
Because of the enormous negative comments she got, she issued a longer statement denying for publicity or notoriety that she is doing so. She paid the ultimate price for exposing her affair with her non-showbiz girlfriend, because South Korea is a conservative country, despite her threat that she would pursue legal action if the hateful remarks did not stop.
2. BAEKHYUN and TAEYEON
Sources back in June 2014 revealed that for several months Baekhyun and Taeyeon have seen each other and that the press had photos of their dates, which stirred controversy. They were the first SM pair to be publicly announced. SM verified the two dated soon after the news had been written.
Baekhyun had ensured the fans in a show that he won't pursue a relationship until he reaches 35; Baekhyun had spoken about how much he loves his supporters, which other critics proved wrong when he first claimed that he's dating while rising to fame as an EXO member.
It has also impacted EXO adversely. Some even demanded that Baekhyun quit his band and that SBS should fire him on Inkigayo as MC. Until it was immediately deleted, the proposal gained 1,800 signatures.
Shortly after the announcement came out, Baekhyun and Taeyeon issued an apology statement. Furthermore, after the dating headlines, Taeyeon also apologized to supporters at the airport.
3. HYUNA and HYOJONG
Their news about dating was massive and caused tremendous criticism from Korean fans. Hyojong was the one who took the most significant strike. The two were campaigning at the time the whole conflict exploded with Pentagon's Hui in Triple H.
Many had long speculated that the two were dating because of the way they handled each other with Triple H during their endorsements.
It all began when an article back in August 2018 reported the two had been dating. Cube Entertainment initially debunked the reports promptly, saying the two had a close sunbae-hoobae friendship. By the time the prominence of PENTAGON had grown, and one of their comebacks performed exceptionally well on Korean charts, Hyojung was one of his band's most influential members.
Cube Entertainment then abruptly reported that Hyojong and Hyuna had been kicked out of the company due to "broken trust." Their stock price plunged rapidly. PSY's new agency P-Nation revealed back in early 2019 that they have recruited the two talents under their label. The pair are still flaunting their lovely relationship on Instagram.
