True or not, there are almost always rumors of possible couples going around in the K-Pop industry. In the era of shipping and Dispatch, no one is safe. Pretty much every idol has been shipped with another, or fans have hoped two idols would date time and time again.
However, these rumors have no basis whatsoever and are just the whims and fancies of fans. That does not mean that there are no couples in the K-Pop world. Just like everyone else, they're also humans and have feelings. As such, they are free to fall in love with whoever they please. Due to contract terms banning dating, idols do not have that liberty or at least cannot go public with their love. Here's a list of 5 of the most popular couples in the K-Pop industry!
1. TWICE JIHYO AND KANG DANIEL
News about TWICE Jihyo and Kang Daniel dating was revealed by South Korean news outlet Dispatch. While most people thought this would break out into a scandal, it was maturely handled as the agencies of both of the artist's released statements acknowledging the news. When Jihyo's relationship with Kang Daniel was first reported, JYP Entertainment released a statement with Kang's label, KONNECT Entertainment.
The statement confirmed, "They are currently meeting with interest in each other." Daniel, now no longer part of a K-Pop group and having left his agency, had more independence in the label he established himself, KONNECT Entertainment. He posted a message to his fans on their fan café website, expressing his gratitude for the fans' support and apologized for not telling them the news sooner. Both are now a happy couple, and we hope it stays the same.
2. SUPER JUNIOR HEECHUL AND TWICE MOMO
Heechul had always been adoring Momo, and Momo returned the sentiment as well whenever they would appear in variety shows, especially Knowing Brothers. Even when they weren't on the same show, but they came up in conversations, both of them would talk kindly about each other. As such, many fans speculated that the two might be in love.
The news about their relationship was reported by the South Korean news outlet Market News who revealed that according to their investigation, the two were definitely in a relationship. Eventually, the two accepted it, making it their first public relationship. Heechul has been in relationships before, as he can be heard admitting to it in variety shows. However, this is his first public relationship. The two are immensely supported by fans as well as adored. We hope this relationship always stays strong.
3. SNSD SOOYOUNG AND ACTOR JUNG KYUNG HO
Reports of these two datings kept doing rounds time and time again, and they were always denied by the two saying that they simply went to the Church together and had a healthy sunbae hoobae (senior-junior) relationship as they went to the same school as kids.
However, through Sports Seoul, a news outlet of South Korea, they were reported to have been already dating for a year. As evidence, the outlet even produced images and videos of them on a date. As such, the rumor could not be denied anymore. Sooyoung's agency, SM Entertainment, reported by releasing a statement that the two were indeed a couple. Kyung Ho's agency apologized for having dishonestly denied rumors the previous times that they arose but said that they did so because that's what the actor had told them.
Either way, they made their relationship public and have been a happy couple ever since. Both of them are very fond of each other, and the actor even says that he's become a better person, thanks to Sooyoung.
4. HYUNA AND DAWN
This couple is perhaps the most revolutionary and popular couple of all. When rumors started doing rounds about the two datings during the promotional period of Triple H, their company Cube Entertainment denied the rumors. However, soon after that, the couple took to the internet to announce their relationship.
HyunA revealed that they had been dating for two years already and decided to come out publicly regarding the matter as they did not feel comfortable lying to their fans. Their company did not take this lightly and stated that they had lost trust in their artists, but they wouldn't be ousted.
A while later, the company announced that the two would be leaving the company by terminating their contracts. The couple continued to stay in touch with their fans and making music until the pair signed with P Nation together in 2019. Later the two of them released their comeback solo projects with "Flower Shower" and "Money," which were both instant hits, establishing their status as world-class artists once again.
5. GIRL'S DAY HYERI AND RYU JUN YEOL
Many anticipated in the hit TV series Reply 1988 happened in real life when it was revealed that Girl's Day's Hyeri and actor Ryu Jun Yeol were dating. While the two got especially close during the filming of the show, they had started getting to know each other ever since the audition. She had asked him for tips in acting and how to make a scene realistic, and he had gladly obliged.
The two started dating in 2016, and the news was confirmed by their agencies in 2017. Ryu Jun Yeol's agency C-JeS Entertainment confirmed the reports, stating, "Ryu Jun Yeol and Hyeri recently progressed from being friends to a couple, and they are still in the early stages of their relationship. We apologize to the fans for these surprise dating reports. We ask that people watch over them warmly as their relationship is still in the early stages. Thank you."
Lee Hyeri's agency DreamT Entertainment also released a similarly positive statement, confirming their relationship. When it was made public, it felt like a dream come true to all K-Drama fans who rooted for the two gettings together in the Reply 1988 show as their OTP was truly in love in real life! The two are loved and supported by fans worldwide.
