Dating is a sensitive topic in K-pop, given how passionate most fandoms are for their favorite idols. While many K-pop couples are warmly welcomed by fans, several pairings have received poor or negative reactions.
This phenomenon is severely rooted from fan culture and how it resonates with the idols' popularity, image, or reputation.
Here are 5 K-pop couples who received poor reactions from fans due to various reasons
1. HyunA & Former Highlight Junhyung
The community has always admired HyunA for being confident in her relationship with ex-boyfriend Dawn since they've set the standard high for public romance.
However, after their shocking breakup in November 2022, HyunA's new relationship became one of the most "despised" among fans.
On January 18, HyunA and Junhyung's dating reveal shocked everyone to their core. The relationship immediately faced intense backlash mainly because of Junhyung's involvement in the 2019 "Burning Sun" controversy, the biggest scandal to hit the K-pop industry.
Furthermore, HyunA received immense criticism to the point that several of her biggest fansites closed down.
2. Super Junior Heechul & TWICE Momo
The reactions towards Heechul and Momo's dating reveal were neutral at first. However, fans began to feel contempt for the pairing due to the age gap. Harsh remarks were also drawn out across social media, pointing out Heechul's alleged "fetish" for Japanese women.
The two broke up on July 8, 2022, followed by the confirmations of Label SJ and JYP Entertainment.
3. BLACKPINK Jisoo & Ahn Bo Hyun
Jisoo and Ahn Bo Hyun's relationship reveal on August 3, 2023, was a delight to many at first. But during its run, fans were left on a sour note due to Ahn Bo Hyun's past controversies that allegedly involved misogyny and anti-feminism.
On October 24, 2023, an industry insider revealed that Jisoo and Ahn Bo Hyun had ended their relationship after three months of dating. The reason for the breakup was due to their busy schedules, which led them to become distant from one another.
4. Red Velvet Joy & Crush
The initial reactions towards Joy and Crush's relationship were welcoming at first. However, fans hurled criticism towards Crush for laughing at a joke host Sung Si Kyung made, which seemingly belittled K-pop idols.
Luvies weren't having it with how Crush handled the situation and expressed disappointment towards the soloist for not standing up to defend Joy.
5. Girls' Generation Taeyeon & EXO Baekhyun
When it comes to agonizing, vicious fan hate, the relationship between Taeyeon and Baekhyun takes the cake. The year 2014 was a wild run for K-pop since two of the biggest names in K-pop were confirmed dating by SM Entertainment, sparking extreme backlash towards the singers.
Unfortunately, the two broke up on September 15, 2015.
What are your thoughts on the couples? Do you know any other K-pop couples who received unfavorable feedback? Let us know in the comments below
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