In an interview, former Girls' Generation Jessica Jung spilled the tea on her dating experience under SM Entertainment, and how the company handles dating news and issues.
On December 20, the singer, who is celebrating her 16th debut anniversary and 4th EP release, appeared on The Daily Ketchup podcast as a guest.
There, Jessica spilled numerous things about her idol career — from her trainee life, dating, withdrawal from SNSD, solo career, and entry into the clothing business.
Jessica Jung Claims SM Entertainment Is Open About Idols Dating
Following her 16th debut anniversary in August, Jessica, who has been active in China and the US, returned to Korea to drop her much-awaited fourth mini album, "BEEP BEEP," her first EP in about six years.
During the conversation, the hosts and the artist mentioned the so-called "dating ban" among idols, which is a restriction to stars to be in a relationship during their first 3-4 years as idols.
While K-pop agencies have become more open now to idols dating, it is still a taboo for some that idols even get kicked out for being in a relationship.
If it is tough for third and fourth-gen idols now, how much more was the situation during the second-gen era?
In response to this, Jessica Jung recalled her dating experience under SM Entertainment, amid being a member of the "Nation's Girl Group" Girls' Generation.
It may vary for SM artists, but based on her experience, her "smart" move made the company and staff working around her feel more accepting of her dating.
She said:
"I was close to all of the employees and managers there, so I was very open and honest about everything, about my relationship or who I'm meeting or who I want to date or whatever. If I do that, then they're actually more supportive and they help you.
But if you kind of hide it and try to do it behind their backs and make trouble and that's where you know everything happens and that's where they cannot control the situation if something happens."
Is 'Dating Ban' Beneficial for K-pop Idols? Here's What Jessica Jung Thinks
As the conversation continued, the host clarified whether the "dating ban" is solely to look out for their artists, or if it is still a part of marketing strategies where the company maintained an artist "single" image to make them "more desirable."
Regarding this, the "Shine" author clarified:
"It's not that, actually. It's not that, it's just that, they don't want trouble caused to the team, the company or the artist, and that's only natural.
But how do you do that? How do you control that? You need to be open and honest and talk about it. If you know what's going to happen, you can prepare. But if you don't and something hits you..."
Nevertheless, Jessica stated her opposing views about the dating ban in K-pop being more beneficial to artists.
"At the time, you're adolescent, you're growing up and you feel, I'm being controlled."
Watch Jessica Jung's full interview here!
For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.
KpopStarz owns this article.
Written by Eunice Dawson.
