After four years since their dating rumor sparked, former EXO Tao and ex-SM Rookies Xu Yiyang officially announced their relationship — in the most wholesome way! 

On July 14, Tao made a huge announcement and admitted to his real score with Xu Yiyang. 

On China's social media platform, Weibo, Tao surprised the whole entertainment scene when he uploaded several photos with his girlfriend and tagged her official account. He said:

"I hope we can be together forever."

240714 #ZTAO congratulations to the couples 🎊🎉#HuangZitao #黄子韬 #타오 #タオ @hztttaoswag pic.twitter.com/8xkf1p1YeA

— BaiduZTAOBar | 黄子韬吧 (@BaiduZTAOBar) July 14, 2024

On the same day, Yiyang also posted a set of photos with the caption:

"Making a wish on the beach at sunset."

In their couple shots, the stars show their loving relationship by holding hands, hugging, and kissing each other.  

#HuangZitao and #XuYiyang officially announce their relationship pic.twitter.com/1thd8c0RRa

— cdrama tweets (@dramapotatoe) July 14, 2024

Aside from this, the couple also joined the trend on the short-form video-sharing platform, Douyin where both flexed each other as their boyfriend and girlfriend. 

In the clip, they showed off by flaunting that their wallpaper is each other's photos, then transitioning to their videos together. 

#HuangZitao and #XuYiyang share new vids on Douyin as they’ve officially announced their relationship pic.twitter.com/aaHfWZsROA

— cdrama tweets (@dramapotatoe) July 14, 2024

ALSO READ: Tao Shows 'Jealous' Side After Fan Said 'I Love You' to Rumored Girlfriend

Here are the comments following their announcement:

• "They are so cute!"
• "Best wishes to the couple!"
• "This is the kind of confirmation that I need."
• "Congratulations, lovebirds!"

Overall, fans and netizens weren't surprised in any way since it has been four years since the couple was speculated to be dating. 

It arose due to the leaked photos and videos of the two having a private date and meeting up with their families. Through those years, Tao and Yiyang remained silent about it, and while there were sasaengs who were leaving malicious comments about them, the majority were wishing them happiness. 

Meanwhile, Tao debuted with EXO in 2012 but left the team in 2015 and has been active mainly in the Greater China region. Xu Yiyang first became known as an SM Entertainment trainee "SM Rookies" in 2016 and has since returned to China to work as a singer and actress.

The couple originally met each other under SM Entertainment in 2014. Later, they will meet again in China in 2018 after Yiyang joins Tao's agency, L.TAO Ent as its artist.

While they maintained a senior-junior relationship, their status changed in 2020 when Tao's father got sick. The male icon was fully supported and accompanied by Yiyang during the hardest time in his life, especially when his father passed away.

Naturally, they fell in love with each other and in 2021, their relationship blossomed. 

Regarding the reason they decided to admit it after three years, Yiyang was initially adamant about confessing it since she didn't want Tao to be scolded, but her boyfriend expressed his desire to protect Yiyang from suffering due to their hidden relationship. 

Tao: in future, I don't want to hide with you. I want to talk with you, hold hands when you want. do whatever you want, don't care about anyone. this is the life I wanna give you instead of us hiding.

I'm crying Zitao. our best boy 😭 #ZTAO #HuangZitao #Yiyang #XuYiyang pic.twitter.com/GtaYZgqahi

— hztttao (@noviaini) July 14, 2024

READ MORE: Huang Zitao Calls Out Fans Criticizing Him For Not Admitting Dating Rumor With Xu Yiyang

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dela Cruz