MAMAMOO's Hwa Sa has indirectly addressed the ongoing rumors about her romantic life during a guest appearance on Park Na Rae's YouTube show "Naraesik" alongside Han Hye Jin.
During her guesting, the trio expressed their hopes of someday having a triple date. Hwa Sa later casually referred to the three of them as "single."
"Aren't we all single right now?" she asked.
Hwa Sa's statement seemingly shuts down previous rumors claiming she was in a five-year relationship with a businessman who is 12 years her senior. The rumors first surfaced in June last year, with sources claiming the pair met when he was working in the music industry. At the time the rumors surfaced, Hwa Sa's agency, P NATION, said it was "difficult" to confirm whether the relationship was true as it was a "private matter."
Hwa Sa has never publicly confirmed nor denied rumors of her relationship until her guest appearance at the YouTube series.
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Hwa Sa's Thoughts on Marriage
Outside of the relationship rumors, the MAMAMOO crooner also expressed her thoughts on marriage in South Korea and lamented at the way people view idols who are married.
"That's honestly a dream of mine. It's one of my dreams. Like Rihanna or Beyoncé. They are performing while pregnant. They're still viewed as Rihanna, you know people see them as artists. So I hope Korea becomes that free as well," she said.
In the K-pop industry, many fans develop a strong parasocial relationship with idols, viewing them as potential romantic partners. When idols announce relationships or marriages, some fans feel betrayed, leading to backlash.
Additionally, entertainment companies often discourage or prohibit their idols from dating, especially early in their career. This is due to a belief that single idols are more marketable and a fear of potential scandals damaging the group's or company's reputation.
