K-pop idols who were once a couple and maybe you didn’t know

Within K-pop, idols’ romantic relationships have always been a kind of taboo, as companies seek to convey an image of their artists as perfect and always available to their fans. For this reason, it is often common to see South Korean pop singers apologizing for dating news, and not very pleasant reactions from part of the fandom.

Although it remains a somewhat delicate subject in the industry, in recent times, it is possible to see the beginning of a change when we talk about this subject, as stars have begun to be more open about their relationships — something extremely common for any human being —, and to open up more about romantic affairs they have had.

Nowadays, for example, we can find idols who are even married and have become daddies, like Chen (EXO), Bobby (iKON), Taeyang (BIG BANG), Hyerim (Wonder Girls), Kahi (After School), Chansung (2PM), Yulhee (LABOUM) and others.

Throughout history, countless couples made up of big idols have also been revealed that shocked fans; remember some!

1. Jennie (BLACKPINK) and Kai (EXO)

At the turn of the year 2018 to 2019, the South Korean portal Dispatch released images proving that Jennieby BLACKPINK, and Kaifrom EXO, had been dating for a while, and often met up in and out of South Korea.

The information was confirmed by SM Entertainment, however, after the relationship was revealed, the couple did not last long, announcing their breakup in January 2019.

2. Baekhyun (EXO) and Taeyeon (Girls’ Generation)

In mid-2014, rumors about a possible relationship between Baekhyunfrom EXO, and Taeyeonfrom Girls’ Generation, intensified after Dispatch released images of the idols together in a car. In the same year, the relationship was confirmed by SM Entertainment, the company responsible for both artists.

According to the South Korean press, the couple have known each other since 2011, when Baekhyun He was still a trainee, but they only became closer in October 2013, before starting to date. After confirmation, the lovebirds remained together until September 2015, when they announced the end of their relationship due to “scheduling conflicts”.

3. Jihyo (TWICE) and Kang Daniel (ex-WANNA ONE)

Another relationship that was also revealed by Dispatch is that of Jihyoby TWICE, and kang danielformer member of WANNA ONE, in 2019. The couple, who met through a mutual idol friend, confirmed their relationship in August of the same year, but kept their relationship private.

Jihyo and Daniel they remained together for about 1 year and 3 months, announcing the end of their relationship in November 2020. According to Dispatch, the lovebirds decided to separate, as they chose to focus on their work, since, due to their busy schedule, they were no longer managing to meet so often.

4. Tiffany (Girls’ Generation) and Nichkhun (2PM)

Also in 2014, the South Korean portal Sports Soul exposed the relationship between tiffany, by Girls’ Generation, and Nichkhunfrom 2PM. At the time, the outlet caught the couple on a cute date, in addition to revealing that the couple had already been together for four months when the article was published.

The relationship was confirmed by JYP and SM Entertainment, companies responsible for the artists, where they stated in a statement that the two started out as just friends, but ended up falling in love. The relationship between the artists lasted for just over a year, ending for “personal reasons”, according to the statement issued by JYP Entertainment.

5. Momo (TWICE) and Heechul (Super Junior)

Rumors about a possible relationship between Momoby TWICE, and Heechulfrom Super Junior, had been circulating the internet for a long time, however, the relationship between the idols was only confirmed by their companies in January 2020, causing both artists to write letters of apology to their fans for the news.

In July 2021, the couple confirmed the end of their relationship, revealing that the cause for the end of their romance was their busy schedules and conflicting priorities, according to information shared by the PinkVilla portal.

Also read: 5 k-pop idols who are mothers