LET'S TALK ABOUT KPOP IDOLS DATING LIFE

The internet is immediately filled with news and gossip about the latest celebrity couple because everyone is dying to find out about the “when, where, how” of celebrity-style dating, as well as speculate about the possible hints and secret “messages” shared between the couple.

It's a public secret that there is "unwritten rule" for almost every Kpop idols have regarding their relationship status. I mean, literally, the more popular they get and the more "loyal" (read: obsessive) fans they have, the more "freedom" they have. If the fans can't get a life, the idols won't have "a life" too, at least their personal life might be unbalanced. But, don't you think as a human with above average sex appeal and at their prime time (age), they won't date anyone? They might be busy, yes, but it's a bit naive to think that they haven't dated anyone before. Idols often sells an image of someone available, a lonely single person without any romantic relationship, but is it really that case?

I bluntly say that, Idols date too, just like everyone else. Dating is always a hot topic of discussion, but celebrity dating generates discussion like no other. As soon as the dating “scandal” breaks out, we might find ourselves asking: “How did they do it? How did they manage to date without fans finding out about it?” 

While each relationship is different, most celebrity couples have a similar dating routine and style due to the constraints of being a public figure. In the end,  it’s all about secrecy and dating privately without getting caught. A lot of Idols or public figure has shared their decision to hide their relationship, when it's still on the "Know with each other" phase and not in "The marriage talk" since it's common for couple to break up after few months of dating.

One ex-idol (girl group member in second generation) who has been disbanded shared a secret about dating style as idols. In the past idols would secretly send messages to one another by taping their love notes or phone numbers to the bottom of water bottles, and having their manager deliver the bottles to the other group’s manager. But due to the advanced technology and the variety of private messaging apps, it’s now easier than ever for idols to reach out to one another without anyone finding out. Among all private messaging apps that is available on the market, Idols usually choose to talk secretly and arrange dates via Instagram, using the Direct Messages feature. 

Restaurant dates are possibly the most classic ones out there, and celebrities are certainly no exception. Who doesn’t like to have some good food and nice company? For stars, however, entering a random restaurant with their loved one can be risky, and celebrities often choose some restaurant that can provide them with privacy. 

Hong Suk Chun is not only a well-known TV star, but also an established restaurateur. His trendy restaurants in the Itaewon district are frequented by many public figure, actors, idols, and actors. Hong Suk Chun  revealed on a variety show, “Whenever top stars come visit us, we provide them with a private top floor, and make additional adjustments depending on their popularity.” Hong Suk Chun added that when the stars are ready to leave, the restaurant staff helps create gaps between the stars’ departure times to minimize the risk of getting caught.

Real life situation of public figure date on restaurant that spark dating new after:
Actor Lee Jung Jae and entrepreneur Lim Se Ryung were pictured on a brunch date at an upscale restaurant that run by Lim Se Ryung herself. The restaurant is known for being quite the hot spot among celebrities. Their dating news broke out a few days after, on New Year’s Day.

In most cases, It can be difficult, however, to directly contact other stars without arousing suspicion. In order to avoid rumors, many stars decide to communicate with each other through their staff, mainly their closest managers or even stylists. Sometimes, the manager could acting as their cupids to set their clients up with other stars, as was seen in many cases, such as GD and model Kiko, Won Bin and Lee Na Young, and a lot more!

Wonbin and Lee nayoung went public with their relationship in 2013. They were initially introduced to each other by their mutual stylist. While working with the same staff, Won Bin and Lee Na Young ran into each other often and they soon developed feelings for each other.

Become a fake Staff of their respective agency might help the idols to hide the idols relationship. When Super Junior’s Shindong had yet to reveal his relationship to the public in the late 2000s, the idol made his non-celebrity girlfriend act as if she was his stylist. This way, they could be close to each other without causing a stir. What a smart move!

A car is a must-have for any celebrity, and it is also a great spot for dating. In 2013, star couples including Rain and Kim Tae Hee, Ki Sung Yueng and Han Hye Jin, and Jo In Sung and Kim Min Hee were spotted on private dates in their cars.

H.O.T’s Moon Hee Jun, one of the top male idols in the 1990s, also swears by cars. In order to accommodate full-fledged dates with his girlfriend, the idol customized his car by installing a dining table system to the back of the front seats. He could simply push a few buttons and a table would fold down for the convenience of the back seat. Former Fin.K.L member Lee Jin confessed a few years back that she used to go on secret car dates with her then-boyfriend. Whenever her manager drove her home, she would step out of the van and sneak into her boyfriend’s car instead of going straight home.

Also, Celebrities are no different from any other human beings. They have feelings, and when in love, they might have desire to declare it to the whole world. Couple items are one of the ‘must-haves’ of any young couple in Korea, and especially idols have been discovered to own matching accessories or clothing items with their partners. f(x)‘s Sulli and Dynamic Duo‘s Choiza were spotted on a casual date wearing matching black-and-white sneakers.

Similarly, fans have discovered that Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany and 2PM’s Nichkhun had constantly dropped hints of their relationship, even before confirming all dating rumors in early 2014. Although they do not admit to starting their relationship back in 2010, the two have been spotted wearing matching necklaces, cellphone charms, and even folders for the past four years. it might be a coincidence, but when it happens too much, it’s hard to say that it’s only a coincidence. This is just  example of how idol dating tends to work when it comes to small and public expressions of love. Tiffany and NichkhunThe top photo shows the thanks-to section of Girls’ Generation’s third studio album, “The Boys.” The highlighted part is Tiffany’s alleged shout-out to Nichkhun. The bottom photo shows the thanks-to of 2PM’s “I’ll Be Back.” According to fans, the highlighted note is dedicated to Tiffany, whose Korean name is Hwang Mi Young.

Goo Hara and BEAST’s Yong Jun Hyung were spotted wearing couple bracelets in 2012. Unfortunately, They ended their relationship in 2013, after two years of dating. Another example comes from Super Junior’s Shindong. Again, in the thanks-to section, Shindong left an encrypted message made up of a systematic combination of numbers and letters, which netizens quickly figured out to be a creative proposal to his (now ex-) girlfriend, Nari.

Shoo from S.E.S once revealed that she used to keep in touch with her boyfriend at the time using – literally – hidden messages. They would write small notes for each other, fold them, and put them underneath a certain vending machine at a broadcast station, which they both visited regularly. How mindful are they?

netizens noticed a series of what they assume to be hidden messages that had been exchanged between Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon and EXO’s Baekhyun. The day before their dating news officially broke out, Taeyeon posted a photo of an Oreo cookie on her Instagram, which many think is a reference to her boyfriend, whose name literally means ‘black and white.’ Similarly, Baekhyun stylized the name of his group in a rather unique way on his Instagram, setting him apart from his teammates and raising questions about a possible hidden meaning. Instead of writing EXO using the alphabet, Baekhyun went for ㅌxㅇ. Netizens have speculated that the Korean letters actually refer to the initials of Taeyeon’s name, ㅌ (T) and ㅇ (Y), making it an encrypted expression of affection to Taeyeon. Although stars rarely confirm that such speculations are true, many believe that the encrypted messages are indeed dedicated to the celebrities’ significant others.

To accommodate tricks that do not really fit into the aforementioned five categories, here’s a bonus one that introduces the more creative ways of going on dates. While not many celebrities follow these rules, it is more than fascinating to learn how a few risktakers have gone on successful dates and stayed in touch with their crush.

It is no secret that Super Junior’s Heechul loves to cross-dress, but did you know that the has even gone on a date dressed up as a woman? And no, I am not making this up. Heechul revealed that he used to date a famous celebrity in his trainee days. In order to go out on a date with her, he put on a wig and a dress, met up with his date, and walked hand-in-hand in public without anyone paying attention to them. It is more than common for Korean girls (and even guys, for that matter) to hold hands when strolling around the city, even if they are just friends, and Heechul was smart enough to take advantage of this cultural trait.

At last, approaching other idols is now extremely simple, as most of them are avid uses of social networking sites and “smart” phones. While the main purpose of maintaining a Twitter or Instagram account might be to get closer to their fans, establishing relationships with other stars is an important added bonus. Nowadays, idols contact each other through private messages, which leave no visible traces to anyone except the two. This way, they are able to chat without going through the traditional process of asking ‘Hey, can I get your number?’ Celebrities can now simply search for each other’s profiles online, press follow, and start a private conversation. It’s just that we rarely catch everything that’s going on behind the scenes.

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