5 Idols Who’ve Been Involved In The Most Dating Scandals
K-Pop idols are constantly battling scandals, especially dating ones, as such controversies could make or break their reputations. Still, each year, fans receive news of idols dating, getting married, or breaking up. Here are five idols who have put themselves in the spotlight the most often with their wild dating lives.
1. G-Dragon
G-Dragon has been involved in several relationships and dating rumors throughout the years he was actively promoting with BIGBANG.
When Wonder Girls debuted, G-Dragon collaborated with member Sohee on performances. These two have rumors that date back to 2008, based on fans’ speculations over certain clothing and accessory items that were found in common between the two K-Pop stars. Neither Sohee nor G-Dragon ever responded to their dating scandal, so it remains an unverified speculation to this day. The pictures, however, pointing out the different occasions when this could-have-been couple sports “couple items”, can still be found all over the internet and fans only grow more suspicious that at one point, the two did date secretly.
One of G-Dragon’s more well-known scandal is with a Japanese model Kiko Mizuhara. Since 2010, G-Dragon and Kiko Mizuhara have been involved in not one, but several dating scandals. On multiple occasions, the two have been spotted together on what appear to be dates. From locations in Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Paris, they’ve been seen hugging and publicly displaying affection.
By 2014, Dispatch released articles claiming these two “began dating after meeting through a mutual friend in 2010 and have been celebrating birthdays and Christmas holidays together since then for four years.”
Although both have denied such a relationship, stating they are both “merely friends,” fans and netizens alike continue to wonder.
In 2015, G-Dragon had a dating rumor go viral with Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon, though brief. A “jjirashi (찌라시, tabloid news)” revealed that G-Dragon and Taeyeon fell in love with each other because Taeyeon reminded G-Dragon of his first love. To this rumor, both artists’ agencies have denied the suspicions and stated, “None of it is true. We aren’t quite sure why such rumor spread.”
Still, well into 2016, fans continued to put together a list of Instagram posts that seemed to hint at their relationship, especially because G-Dragon and Taeyeon are both avid social media users and aren’t quite the shyest to secretly displaying affection on Instagram. Fans grew convinced, even after the agencies’ confirmations, that the speculations could be true.
By 2016, G-Dragon became involved in another dating scandal with another Japanese model and actress, Nana Komatsu. As affectionate pictures from his private Instagram account began circulating, fans became convinced the two were in a relationship.
Nana Komatsu has always been a fan of G-Dragon’s. The two worked on a photoshoot together and grew closer, fans speculate.
Again, neither YG Entertainment nor G-Dragon has spoken up about this scandal. With his Instagram posts hinting at what seems definitely more than a regular friendship though, fans and netizens believe there was something between the two.
Early 2017, G-Dragon became involved in a dating scandal with former f(x)‘s Sulli, over some pictures that seemingly captured what is a “couple’s ring” on the stars’ fingers. This rumor surfaced shortly after Sulli had broken up with her ex-boyfriend of three years, Choiza, and she made everyone curious by uploading pictures of herself with who seems to be G-Dragon’s manager. So when a picture of G-Dragon and Sulli, along with Sulli’s good friends Gain and Goo Hara, taken at an amusement park went viral, fans began to believe the two are secretly dating. As G-Dragon mentioned Sulli being his ideal type back in 2009, fans were highly convinced that there is something between the two.
YG Entertainment was quick to shoot down the scandal. The agency revealed that G-Dragon himself spoke about the situation.
“This is a story that is completely groundless and ridiculous. We recently heard about this and asked G-Dragon ourselves. He said ‘that’s a ridiculous story’ and laughed. G-Dragon and Sulli both got that ring from a mutual friend of theirs.” — YG Entertainment
The most recent dating scandal involving G-Dragon is with former After School‘s Jooyeon. Once in October of 2017, then again in December of the same year, G-Dragon and Jooyeon made headlines as several photos and videos served as soft proof that the two are in a relationship. In fact, in December, Dispatch released evidence that G-Dragon and Jooyeon are indeed dating as they spent three days on Jeju Island together.
Seungri, on a February 2018 episode of Knowing Bros, clarified this rumor for G-Dragon by stating none of the unmarried members are dating.
While most remained to be rumors based on fans’ speculations, the pictures surely fuel the potential of these relationships having been real. G-Dragon is definitely the hottest idol when it comes to dating scandals, with a total of six very well-known ones.
2. Taeyeon
Girls’ Generation, as a group, had many members become involved in romantic relationships over the years. Taeyeon has been, since debut, one of the members to always have some sort of a dating rumor following her around.
One of Taeyeon’s earliest dating scandal dates back to 2008. Her first rumor involved JYJ‘s Junsu. The rumor blew up when Girls’ Generation and the original five-member TVXQ held a collaborative performance and the two seemed to be interacting on stage. Fans captured the moment which made it seem Junsu and Taeyeon are holding hands on stage. When some pictures of the two touring Los Angeles went viral, some became completely convinced there is something between these K-Pop idols. Of course, SM Entertainment did not release any official statements regarding this dating rumor and fans defended both Taeyeon and Junsu to be agency friends.
When Taeyeon and Super Junior‘s Kangin hosted a radio show together in 2009, they had such a strong chemistry that slowly persuaded the listeners to believe they were more than co-hosts. The two snapped tons of pictures together all of which make Taeyeon and Kangin seem quite close, if not intimate. Neither of the two stars spoke about the rumor, but some speculation that the two were involved during this time remains.
By 2010, Taeyeon became involved in another dating scandal with another Super Junior member, Leeteuk. Speculation first came up as fans spotted the two artists wearing the same earrings. Then Taeyeon and Leeteuk were seen carrying the same bag and rumor spread quickly. Leeteuk later appeared on Radio Star and explained the earrings were not couple items and they happened to have purchased the same designs from different stores. He pointed out he was first to buy the earrings.
Years later, in 2014, Taeyeon’s most shocking dating news broke. Dispatch released pictures from Taeyeon and EXO‘s Baekhyun on a private date in Taeyeon’s car. After the photos went extremely viral, Taeyeon and Baekhyun admitted to being in a relationship, becoming the first public SM Entertainment couple. The two unexpectedly faced a tremendous amount of criticism because of the way fans felt about their Instagram posts that have apparently been for each other. The two dated for a year and four months before breaking up in 2015.
In 2015, Taeyeon had a dating rumor go viral with BIGBANG‘s G-Dragon, though brief. A “jjirashi (찌라시, tabloid news)” revealed that G-Dragon and Taeyeon fell in love with each other because Taeyeon reminded G-Dragon of his first love. To this rumor, both artists’ agencies have denied the suspicions and stated, “None of it is true. We aren’t quite sure why such rumor spread.”
Still, well into 2016, fans continued to put together a list of Instagram posts that seemed to hint at their relationship, especially because G-Dragon and Taeyeon are both avid social media users and aren’t quite the shyest to secretly displaying affection on Instagram. Fans grew convinced, even after the agencies’ confirmations, that the speculations could be true.
Since 2016, Taeyeon has not been involved in any other major dating scandal. While all, except her official relationship with EXO’s Baekhyun, have been proven to be only rumors, Taeyeon has had her fair share of dating scandals and remains one of the few girl group members whose name is associated with so many male idol names.
3. IU
When, in 2012, a picture of IU and Super Junior’s Eunhyuk leaked and went viral, she became involved in one of the more controversial dating scandals in K-Pop history.
When IU accidentally shared this questionable picture of herself and Eunhyuk through a website called “yfrog”, it quickly spread to other social media platforms. IU’s agency LOEN Entertainment tried to explain that Eunhyuk had visited IU at her home when she was down with a fever. Eunhyuk and SM Entertainment did not make any statement in regards of this incident. While the public at large did not believe IU and her agency’s response to this rather intimate picture, this remained a scandal with no specifics confirmed.
In 2015, IU admitted to the public that she is in a relationship with singer Jang Kiha when Dispatch released pictures of the two meeting up in secret to spend time together. When the news of IU and Jang Kiha being in a relationship broke, it shocked the fans of both artists, as the two came with a significantly large age difference. IU spoke up about her relationship with Jang Kiha two years into the relationship.
“We have been dating for almost two years. We met up at a radio show and I fell in love with him at first sight. There is a lot I learn from him and I am grateful for him. We argue and cherish each other like just any other couple. And I’m sorry but I guess this is the beginning of an open relationship. I am going to keep doing my best in everything I do. I hope your day isn’t hard because of me.” — IU
Ever since IU and Jang Kiha broke up in 2017, she has been involved in several other dating scandals. January of 2017, rumors of IU and actor Lee Joon Ki spread wild when the two starred in the popular K-Drama series, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. Aside from the incredible chemistry the two showed on the episodes of the drama, fans suspected the two stars to be dating when they were spotted supporting each other at their individual concerts in Taiwan. When IU and Lee Joon Ki won the “Best Couple Award” at the 2016 SBS Drama Awards, host Lee Hwi Jae playfully asked, “Are you two dating? Seems suspicious…” and this added fuel to the rumors.
The actor’s agency, Namoo Actors, spoke up and clarified that the two are not involved romantically.
“Lee Joon Ki and IU showed great chemistry in the SBS drama, Moon Lovers, but they are just close coworkers, so please do not misunderstand. I think people are misunderstanding because of their great chemistry in the drama. Lee Joon Ki is naturally very friendly with other co-stars, and he takes care of them. IU is simply a co-star.” —Namoo Actors
Later in 2017, around August, another dating scandal broke for IU. When she was spotted in the pictures that actor Kang Ha Neul took the day before his military enlistment, fans grew suspicious as to why of all the people, she spent the last day with him. Also from the TV series, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Kang Ha Neul and IU have grown close since the shoot and premiere.
The two were spotted at a cafe together the day before Kang Ha Neul was due to enlist in the military. The speculations strengthened as many talked about their matched outfits, which gave them a “couple look.” Kang Ha Neul’s agency denied the rumors and confirmed that IU isn’t dating the actor.
“It’s true IU and Kang Ha Neul met up, but they are not dating.They are close associates since working for the same drama together.” — Kang Ha Neul’s Agency
While only Jang Kiha is the only one who was confirmed to have been IU’s actual ex-boyfriend, she did leave a lot of fans curious and suspicious.
4. Lee Hyori
Lee Hyori, the original K-Pop queen, has dating scandals that date back to the early 2000s. Based on Lee Hyori’s own words, most of her rumors are actually true, as she had several boyfriends even when she entered the entertainment industry and coped with break-ups by dating someone new.
Quite possibly the most widely believed rumor about Lee Hyori is her scandal with Rain from early 2000s. The story went that Rain, who was not aware he was on air live when g.o.d‘s Denny called him on a radio show, boasted he slept with Lee Hyori. This rumor swept the nation and while there was no recording or proof of it actually happening, everyone believed it to be true.
Lee Hyori talked about this rumor being complete nonsense when she appeared on various TV programs, like Happy Sunday and Magic Eye. In fact, Lee Hyori and Rain appeared together on an episode of Happy Sunday and explained the person who first spread the rumor by posting a hearsay on an online forum turned out to be an elementary school student. In 2006, a Korean national news channel actually reported about the details of this rumor, confirming that the people who initially made up and spread the rumor have been penalized.
Another one of Lee Hyori’s popular ex-boyfriend is actor Lee Seo Jin. Lee Hyori and Lee Seo Jin began dating in 2004 and even had rumors of possible wedding plans being made.
Rumor had it that Lee Hyori’s good friend, comedian Kim Je Dong, introduced her to Lee Seo Jin. The two later starred in a cellphone commercial together, possibly being the connection that brought them closer together. Lee Hyori invited Lee Seo Jin to her relative’s birthday party and pictures from this event went viral through a tabloid’s release, building up suspicion that the two are more than friends.
Another magazine published an article stating that, when a photographer of the magazine snapped pictures of the two on a date, Lee Seo Jin noticed he and Lee Hyori have been discovered and aggressively took over the memory card in the photographer’s camera. At the time, neither Lee Hyori nor Lee Seo Jin admitted to being in a relationship. By 2006, it had become official that the two broke up.
When Lee Hyori appeared on Radio Star in 2013 and mentioned she doesn’t want to go on the show One Night, Two Days because “someone uncomfortable is there”, Lee Hyori’s dating rumor with singer Sung Si Kyung resurfaced. The two are said to have dated sometime in between 2005-2006, though nothing is confirmed.
While there are no specifics to Sung Si Kyung and Lee Hyori’s history, the infamous “Korean X-Files” mentioned under Lee Hyori’s name that Sung Si Kyung and she dated for six months and broke up when he cheated on her.
A more concrete dating scandal broke in 2008 when a Korean media released photos of Lee Hyori enjoying a poolside date with a “chaebol (재벌, affluent elite)” son Choi Sung Wook.
According to news reports, Lee Hyori and Choi Sung Wook have known each other since they were middle and high school students from the same neighborhood. Lee Hyori and Choi Sung Wook share over ten years of friendship, dating back to her Fin.K.L days. Both Choi Sung Wook and Lee Hyori denied the rumors. Lee Hyori’s agency stated, “We have never heard of it.” Lee Hyori’s manager also denied the rumor.
“Lee Hyori is not seeing anyone at the moment. I’m her manager, I would know when she’s seeing someone.” — Manager
In 2011, Lee Hyori confirmed she was in a relationship with Lee Sang Soon. The two met while working on music together. By 2013, they got married and now live together in Jeju, Korea.
5. Rain
Rain, who reigned as one of the most beloved male solo performers in the 2000s, has many dating scandals and confirmed ex-girlfriends. Though he has been happily married to actress Kim Tae Hee, Rain comes with several dating scandals involving some of Korea’s hottest female actresses.
Aside from his rumor to have dated Lee Hyori, as detailed out above, Rain is also rumored to have been in a relationship with actress Song Hye Kyo around 2004. Shortly after the two starred in Full House together, Rain and Song Hye Kyo were involved in a dating scandal. Most likely from the two spending a lot of time together for the K-Drama, and boasting an incredible chemistry that led the program to a huge success, fans speculated there is something more between the co-stars.
While there is no hard evidence, and neither Rain nor Song Hye Kyo spoke about the scandal, many believed the dating rumors to be true.
In 2010, Sports Seoul released pictures of Rain and actress Jun Ji Hyun and stated the two are in a relationship. The coverage, said to have been over a hundred days of following the two around, claimed that Rain and Jun Ji Hyun began seeing each other late 2009. The press shared a wealthy elite who is close to both Rain and Jun Ji Hyun played matchmaker for them and helped them fall in love with each other. The two were spotted often meeting up at Jun Ji Hyun’s place.
Because none of the released pictures showed the two of them together, however, Rain and Jun Ji Hyun both denied the rumors. Jun Ji Hyun’s agency claimed the only contact the actress had with Rain is over a K-Drama.
“We are not aware of him seeing anyone at the moment. We will have to check with Rain himself.” — Rain’s Agency
This scandal was shot down when Jun Ji Hyun got married to her non-celebrity husband in 2011.
It was in 2013 when Dispatch released pictures of Rain and his current wife, actress Kim Tae Hee together. The two met when they had a commercial shoot together in 2011. Dispatch shared that Rain wooed Kim Tae Hee until she opened up to him. The two grew closer as Rain became an “entertainment soldier” and had more flexibility with his schedule than do other soldiers. Rain was spotted using his vacation time and off-days to go see Kim Tae Hee. The two dated for four years before getting married in 2017.
