K-pop idols are notoriously secretive about their love lives, but many of the relationships that get confirmed usually involve artists dating a fellow singer. While K-pop stars dating someone outside of the entertainment industry is rare, it does happen. Below are five K-pop idols who have dated athletes - and a few have even gotten married.
6 K-pop Idols Who Dated or Currently Married to Athletes
Girls' Generation Yuri
Girls' Generation member Yuri previously dated Oh Seung Hwan, a baseball player who is considered one of the best closing pitchers in South Korea.
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Back in April 2015, Dispatch released several photographs of Yuri and Oh Seung Hwan on a date. The images were captured on Dec. 24, 2014 after the couple watched the movie "Ode to My Father." Their relationship was first reported by Ilyo News in the same month.
Girls' Generation Yuri and Oh Seung Hwan, however, broke up in October 2015 reportedly due to the lack of closeness caused by their long-distance relationship.
Girl's Day Minah
Another female K-pop idol who previously dated an athlete is Girl's Day Minah. She was confirmed to be in a relationship with soccer player Son Heung Min back in 2014.
In July 2014, the Korean media outlet The Fact released an exclusive article and photos of Minah and Son Heung Min holding hands while enjoying an evening date. Girl's Day's agency, Dream T Entertainment, said that the two celebrities were fans of each other before and began meeting because of their interest in one another.
In October of the same year, the couple were revealed to have broken up. OSEN and Xportsnews reported that Girl's Day Minah said through her label that she and the soccer player did not contact each other after the interest from people around them increased and also due to their busy schedules.
Former F.T. Island Jonghoon
Besides female idols, male K-pop idols dating an athlete is also possible, and one example is former F.T. Island member Jonghoon.
Back on June 13, 2017, Dispatch issued an exclusive report saying that Jonghoon has been dating rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon Jae for around three months starting in March after meeting each other in February through an acquaintance.
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F.T. Island's agency, FNC Entertainment, confirmed the news after it came out. Unfortunately, their relationship lasted for approximately a month.
On Aug. 1, 2017, industry representatives reported that Jonghoon and Yeon Jae have broken up as the latter might have felt very burdened after their relationship was made public.
The male idol also mentioned at a fan meeting in Japan that the gymnast felt a lot of burden. FNC Entertainment commented that it has been two weeks since they broke up, meaning they separated in mid-July.
T-ara Hyomin
In January 2022, Sports Chosun reported that Hyomin and soccer player Hwang Ui Jo have been dating since November 2021 after becoming friends. Dispatch then released photos showing the couple on a date.
However, Hyomin and Hwang Ui Jo broke up in March. According to News 1, Hyomin's management agent told them that the couple have parted ways. They explained that the two celebrities grew apart due to the pressure of the situation.
Former S.E.S Shoo
In November 2009, it was revealed that S.E.S. member Shoo has been in a relationship with basketball player Im Hyo Sung for about a year, and rumors have it that they will wed the following year.
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The couple then got married in April 2010 when Shoo was already pregnant with their first son. In June 2013, Shoo and her husband Im Hyo Sung welcomed their twins (two daughters).
Former Wonder Girls Hyerim
Hyerim is another K-pop idol who got married to an athlete. She tied the knot with Shin Min Chul, a taekwondo athlete, in July 2020.
Hyerim has been in a relationship with Shin Min Chul for seven years since 2013, when she was still active as a Wonder Girls member. In October 2021, the couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy.
Bonus:
Former T-ara Soyeon
In January 2022, Soyeon's agency Think Entertainment announced that she and Cho Yu Min are getting married in November. They have been a couple for three years now.
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Written by Maria Scott
