Entering a relationship for K-pop idols is never easy. Aside from the possibility of facing backlash and negative feedback from K-netizens, it is also not impossible to get unwanted attention from the media and fans. For this reason, only a few couples are admitting their relationship in public, and it is a huge risk for their careers.
Unfortunately, normalizing idols dating is still far-fetched for some; thus, when these three couples who were publicly known to be dating attended the same show, they either got unnecessary attention or worse, faced backlash.
1. Ex-Couple Girls’ Generation Tiffany and 2PM Nichkhun
In January 2014, Tiffany and Nichkhun took the courage and admitted their relationship to public after a series of dating rumors. The former couple was well-received by fans and only got minimal objections.
In the same year, the two idols attended the MNET Asian Music Awards (MAMA). Undoubtedly, people anticipated their interactions. As the award show went on, Tiffany’s sub-unit, along with Taeyeon and Seohyun, was awarded as K-pop’s choice for the “Best Female Artist” award and the camera eventually shifted its lens to Tiffany then to Nichkhun to capture his reaction.
As Tiffany walked to the stage, the cameraman continued panning the camera to the 2PM member, and it's evident that he was embarrassed despite his adorable smiles. The camera went on to focus on Nickhun whilst Tiffany was giving her speech, and he was caught off-guard. In the end, he just did simple and cute gestures at the camera.
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2. TWICE Momo and Super Junior Heechul
In January 2020, SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment confirmed Heechul and Momo’s relationship. Many fans rejoiced, while other netizens expressed their disappointment given the age gap of the two idols.
Despite criticisms, the two idols attended Seoul Music Awards (SMA) wherein TWICE was nominated for some awards, while Heechul was the MC for the event.
For an ice-breaker, the three MCs Shin Dong Yup, Jo Bo Ah, and Heechul talked about a few things about the event, when MC Dong Yup asked Heechul that he must be happy to see someone at the event. Given that TWICE was present, people immediately picked up the message of the veteran MC.
Looking embarrassed, Heechul successfully escaped from being caught off-guard as he stated that he was indeed happy to see his-co members in Super Junior, who were also present in the awards show.
A video then circulated, wherein Momo was allegedly on the verge of crying while TWICE members were also not happy. It was, later on, said that the video was edited and the members were also laughing, but the video rapidly circulated online. Shin Dong Yup then faced backlash for his joke and later apologized.
Furthermore, in the same event, a Korean article was released with the title: “Momo looks sad that Kim Heechul is not in the event yet."
3. Kang Daniel and TWICE Jihyo
In 2019, Dispatch revealed that Daniel and Jihyo could possibly be dating. Shortly after, the couple admitted their relationship.
There was an immense backlash that Daniel received, as he was accused of being a “traitor” by some of his fans, after being caught dating someone despite telling his fans that they “love” them.
A year after, Daniel and Jihyo appeared on 2020’s “Soribada Best K-Music Awards,” and the two eventually received unnecessary attention from fans and the media during the signing event on the back wall of the event location.
Some eagle-eyed fans noticed that the two signed the wall on the same spot. Daniel was the first one to bend down and sign on the lower right side, and when TWICE came, Jihyo looked for a spot and it was seen that Jihyo signed beside Daniel’s signature.
The two idols made headlines proving that the two are still happily dating but later on, it was then revealed that it was Jeongyeon’s signature that is actually beside Daniel’s.
