Some of the “false” allegations led to jail time.
Koreaboo
From the Burning Sun scandal to dating rumors, here are five “false” claims that were proven true.
1. Super Junior’s Heechul and TWICE’s Momo
In August 2019, both idols’ respective agencies denied rumors that Heechul and Momo had secretly been dating for two years.
SJ Label: Super Junior Heechul and TWICE Momo are two juniors and seniors who have always been close and friendly with each other. They are not dating.
JYP Entertainment: The dating rumors between the two are not true. They are just close junior and senior.
In January 2020, both agencies confirmed that Heechul and Momo were dating after the then-couple once again made headlines.
2. HyunA and DAWN
One of the most well-known examples of agencies denying dating rumors happened in 2018. Korean news agency TV Report reported that HyunA and DAWN, who were then members of the trio Triple H, were a couple. CUBE Entertainment stated, “The report about HyunA and E’dawn dating are not true.”
HyunA and DAWN then personally confirmed the rumors. After being kicked out of CUBE Entertainment, the couple continued dating and producing music together for years before ending their engagement in 2023.
We know that (our relationship) will stick with us but we both thought it would be difficult to see our fans on stage (if we didn’t announce it). So we wanted to honestly tell our fans who have loved us and showed us their support, and present ourselves confidently and joyfully on stage.
— HyunA and DAWN
3. Choi Jonghoon and Lee Jonghyun
In 2019, former F.T. ISLAND member Choi Jonghoon and former CNBLUE member Lee Jonghyun were rumored to be involved in the infamous Burning Sun scandal that was unfolding at the time. They were accused of being members of Jung Joon Young‘s chatroom, where celebrities and friends shared hidden camera footage of themselves sexually assaulting women.
In response to the accusations, FNC Entertainment stated, “We are making it clear that our celebrities, Lee Jonghyun and Choi Jonghoon, had only contacted the certain socially controversial celebrities as friends. They have nothing to do and no connection with the recent scandal.”
Choi Jonghoon was initially sentenced to five years in prison for his Burning Sun scandal crimes, which ultimately was reduced to two. He was released from prison in November 2021 and has since attempted to return to the industry. Lee Jonghyun admitted to watching sex videos that were shared in the chat room and making vulgar comments about the women in them.
4. BB Girls‘ Yujeong and actor Lee Kyu Han
In 2023, the agencies for BB Girls‘ Yujeong and popular actor Lee Kyu Han denied dating rumors–at first.
After confirming the facts, the two are friends who hang out in the same circle. The dating rumors are false.
— Warner Bros Korea
Two months later, Yujeong confirmed that they were actually dating. Why the secrecy? On Radio Star, Yujeong explained that she’d only been on a few dates with Lee Kyu Han at the time when the rumors started to circulate. Since they were in the “talking stage” of their relationship, it “felt weird” to confirm the news so soon.
5. Yong Jun Hyung
Former HIGHTLIGHT member Yong Jun Hyung (also known as Junhyung) was accused in an exposé of being part of the 2019 Burning Sun scandal group chats. His agency, Around Us Entertainment, issued this statement: “We have confirmed ourselves that ‘singer Yong’ is not Yong Junhyung. It is a groundless rumor.”
However, Jun Hyung later admitted to being aware of Jung Joon Young‘s criminal behavior as “a silent observer.” He wrote in an official statement:
All of these actions were extremely immoral, and I was very foolish. I treated it as something that is not a big deal, without thinking that it was a crime and an illegal act. It is also my fault for not stopping Jung Joon Young.
Yesterday, I participated in an interview as a witness regarding this controversy. I revealed everything that I know and cooperated with the investigation. While being questioned, I realized exactly what I had talked about in the past, and I was ashamed and felt horrified.
I never participated in something illegal such as taking hidden camera videos or sharing it. In addition, since late 2016, I have only maintained a relationship of simple greetings once in a while with Jung Joong Young. Even though I knew of what was happening at that time, I thought it was not a big deal and was too relaxed. I was a silent observer to this serious problem, where my actions could have led to even more victims.
— Yong Jun Hyung’s statement
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