ATEEZ member San sparked discussion this week when he revealed that their agency gave them permission to date, a topic that is often considered taboo in the K-pop industry.
During a recent broadcast on Dolsing 4MenSan was asked about romantic relationships. While idols typically avoid any discussions about dating, the 26-year-old idol didn’t hesitate to respond, telling the show’s hosts that their agency had not prohibited them from having relationships.
“There is no clause in our agency contract that prohibits dating. The agency always tells us, ‘If you want to see someone, go ahead, but make sure it doesn’t interfere with your work,'” he explained. he said.
This candid admission from San offers a notable departure from the traditional dating restrictions imposed by many K-pop agencies that often prohibit idols from dating for several years after debuting. These dating bans are typically intended to maintain an idol’s “wholesome” image and avoid potential backlash from fans. Many groups belonging to major entertainment companies such as JYP, SM, and HYBE have experienced these strict regulations, which often extend for the first three to five years of an idol’s career.
The strict ban policies have often caused controversy when idols are found dating someone. For example, idols have been subject to public scandals, fan outrage, and sometimes even career setbacks when their relationships are exposed prematurely. High profile cases such as Super Junior’s Sungmin and HyunA demonstrated how dating news can lead to intense reactions from fans, ranging from disappointed reactions to prolonged harassment.
In December 2014, Sungmin became the subject of backlash after announcing his marriage to actress Kim Sa-eun. Fans were upset because they believed the idol they failed to inform them correctly about his wedding and had purposely planned the wedding while he had planned the group activities. The controversy grew further after Sungmin changed his autograph to include his wife’s nickname.
“I was the first idol to get married and I was afraid how fans would react. Before I could explain, rumors spread and articles came out. I didn’t know how to respond,” Sungmin he said in an episode of “The Return of Superman” in October, more than 10 years after the controversy.
In 2018HyunA and Dawn publicly confirmed their two-year relationship after Cube Entertainment initially denied the rumors. Their announcement led to the immediate termination of their artists’ contracts due to “loss of trust”. The couple noted that they only learned of their removal from the agency through news agency reports. Dawn later took an indefinite break from the activities of her group, “Pentagon”.
