12 Most Shocking K-Pop Dating Scandals That Shook the Industry
1. Taeyeon and Baekhyun
Back in June 2014, news broke that EXO‘s Baekyun and Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon were dating. A Korean news outlet had reported that they had been going on secret dates and claimed the two idols had been dating for months. After the post gained attention, they admitted to being in a relationship, becoming the first public SM Entertainment couple.
The news, however, came as a big surprise to everybody. While many fans congratulated the couple, many others were upset by the news and accused them of ignoring their fans and fellow members. In fact, the backlash was so severe that some people even started a petition to have Baekhyun removed from EXO!
Due to their fans’ concerns, both idols made apologies to their fans for hurting them and not telling them about the relationship sooner. The apologies put out the flames and soon after the petition was taken down with fans fully supporting the relationship.
The two dated for 1 year and 4 months before breaking up in 2015. Close friends of the couple reported that the two had broken up and gotten back together again multiple times. Although they ultimately decided to part ways in 2015, they still remain as good friends and label mates.
2. Krystal and Kai
The news of EXO‘s Kai and f(x)‘s Krystal being in a relationship was revealed by Dispatch in 2016. Although the two had been spotted together multiple times before because they had been close since their trainee days, in 2016 rumors started to fly that they had been spotted on multiple dates together. And shortly afterward, SM Entertainment released a statement confirming the news.
Luckily, fans from both sides were very supportive of the couple. They even came up with the nickname “Kaistal” to call the couple!
The big shock was the news that came 1 year and 1 month later. On May 31, 2017, they officially parted ways due to their busy schedules. When the news of their breakup was announced, it broke many fans’ hearts.
3. Goo Hara and Yong Junhyung
Back in 2011, when KARA was 5 members and former HIGHLIGHT member Yong Junhyung was still known as BEAST‘s Junhyung, news of Goo Hara and Junhyung being in a relationship took the K-Pop world by storm.
The news came as such a big surprise not only because it came at the height of their careers, but also because it was a turning point for their agencies too. Prior to their news, most agencies would deny any kind of dating news even if there was proof to back it up, but when photos of Goo Hara and Junhyung were revealed both of their agencies stepped in and confirmed the news!
Luckily, fans were very accepting of the couple and even sent them notes of encouragement. In May 2013, however, the two parted ways after they grew apart because of their busy schedules.
4. IU and Jang Kiha
When news of IU and Jang Kiha‘s relationship broke back in 2015, everyone was caught off guard because it was so unexpected.
Prior to the news, IU had never been in any kind of dating scandal before so when pictures began surfacing of IU meeting up with Jung Kiha, everyone was very surprised. Add on the 11 year age gap, and the whole nation was shocked!
Despite that, when IU opened up about her feelings for Jung Kiha, fans were very supportive of the pair. The two dated for over 3 years before finally breaking up in January 2017.
5. Hani and Junsu
News broke of JYJ‘s Junsu and EXID‘s Hani being in a relationship on January 1, 2016, continuing Dispatch’s trend of starting off the new year with a couple reveal.
The two had originally been spotted together numerous times in December 2015 with the couple even reportedly spending Christmas Eve together. According to an insider, Junsu was the first to fall for Hani, but Hani was close behind since she had been a fan of Junsu since his TVXQ days.
Fans were surprised at the news since the two were complete opposites. Junsu was known for being sensitive while Hani was known for her easygoing nature. Additionally, the couple faced some backlash after they were spotted on a date and left their signatures at the restaurant.
Despite some negative reactions to their public displays of affection, many fans cheered their relationship on until they decided to part ways in September 2016 after they naturally drifted apart because of their schedules.
6. Suzy and Lee Dong Wook
When news about Lee Dong Wook and Suzy dating first broke, people were skeptical. The two have a 13-year age gap, and rumors of Suzy and Lee Min Ho getting back together were still floating around.
The news first broke after TV Report witnessed the couple carefully enjoying a date together in Cheondamdong in March 2018 and soon afterward both sides confirmed that they were indeed in a relationship.
Despite their age gap, Suzy and Lee Dong Wook instantly stole everyone’s heart! Unfortunately, everyone was in for some more shocking news after it was revealed that the two had broken up in July 2018 due to their busy schedules.
7. Seolhyun and Zico
Zico and AOA’s Seolhyun had reportedly been dating for a few months before their relationship was discovered in August 2016.
According to Dispatch, they began dating around March 2016 after they had gotten to know each other through overseas promotions and music program. In August, Dispatch released photos of Seolhyun running toward a building which they claimed to be Zico’s house.
But soon after the photos went up, they confirmed their relationship with plenty of support from the public. Unfortunately, that support came with a price because a few months after they began publicly dating, they ultimately ended their relationship due to the pressure they felt from the public eye once again surprising everyone.
8. Tiffany and Nichkhun
Girl’s Generation and 2PM were at the peaks of their careers when Tiffany and Nichkhun went public with their relationship in 2014.
The news first broke after the two were caught out together and soon after it was confirmed that they were dating. Although the news did rock the K-Pop world because of their popularity, many fans were very happy for the new couple and even cheered them on through SNS.
The real shock came when the two parted ways in 2015 after dating for nearly a year. Both SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment confirmed the news that the two had drifted apart because of their busy schedules and work trips abroad. Fans who fell in love with the couple were completely blindsided by the news and many fans continue to hope that someday they will get back together again.
9. Min Hyo Rin and Taeyang
BIGBANG‘s Taeyang and Min Hyo Rin first met while filming the music video for Taeyang’s single, “1AM”. When the two publicly confirmed their relationship in 2015, some haters doubted their relationship would last.
The jokes on them, however. Not only did they continue dating and showing off their sweet relationship, but they also officially tied the knot in February 2018. Even sweeter, Min Hyo Rin showed they are truly couple goals when it was revealed that she began visiting Taeyang every week since he began his military enlistment.
10. Yoona and Lee Seung Gi
Even before they started dating, Lee Seung Gi often admitted that Girls’ Generation‘s Yoona was his ideal type. Even so, when they actually started seeing each other off-camera the news still came as a happy surprise to fans.
They had originally met back in 2007 and built up a strong friendship together throughout the years. And by January 1, 2014, that friendship had blossomed into something more. Dispatch once again rang in the year with photos of the brand new couple.
Fans immediately fell for the pairing but after dating for nearly two years, the couple shocked everyone once again when they called it off in August 2015 citing their busy schedules. Although they were no longer a couple, fans’ hearts were soothed knowing that they were still maintaining their close friendship.
11. Lee Ji Ah and Seo Taiji
The 9-year marriage of singer Seo Taiji and Penthouse actress Lee Ji Ah was probably one of the best-kept secrets in K-Entertainment, even to this day. Nobody knew that the two were married, let alone that they even had a relationship until information about an ongoing alimony case was leaked to the public in 2011.
The only problem was, Lee Ji Ah and Athena: Goddess of War co-star Jung Woo Sung had just gone public with their ongoing relationship when the news leaked.
Due to public backlash, Lee Ji Ah and Jung Woo Sung ended their relationship, and Lee Ji Ah’s thriving acting career came to a halt. The two stayed silent on the matter until Jung Woo Sung talked about the relationship a year later. He clarified that he found out about the secret marriage shortly before the news was leaked, and he had kept quiet about the scandal as a courtesy to Lee Ji Ah.
12. Kang Daniel and Jihyo
Kang Daniel and TWICE Jihyo‘s dating news was revealed by Dispatch on August 4, 2019, but they had reportedly been sighted going on dates together prior to the Dispatch revealing the official news.
According to Dispatch, the two were introduced to each other through a senior artist who was later revealed to be 2AM’s Seulong. The two reportedly began dating at the beginning of 2019 and would meet up secretly to date. Shortly after the reports were made, both KONNECT Entertainment and JYP Entertainment confirmed the news.
Although there were many fans who were extremely happy for the new couple, the timing was a surprise for many. At the end of July, Kang Daniel made his much-anticipated solo debut and the span of just a few weeks his dating news broke out!
Since the dating news landed so close to his solo debut, there were, unfortunately, some fans who took the news negatively and were openly critical of the relationship. Kang Daniel did issue a sincere apology to fans, but since then, the couple remained quiet until they split up in November 2020.
