K-pop artist Lee Changsub firmly denied dating rumors involving MAMAMOO’s Solar during an appearance on SBS variety show “Dolsing Fourmen” aired on October 28.
The BTOB member and musical actor clarified the nature of his relationship with Solar, whose real name is Kim Yongsun, explaining how their friendship developed.
Lee Changsub revealed who asked Solar for her number while they waited backstage at a music show. Since they were the same age, he suggested they have lunch together outside of work. However, cast members immediately questioned his account of events. Choi Daniel suggested that this could be interpreted as flirting, while Lee Sang-min noted that asking for someone’s number among singers typically implies romantic interest. Lee Changsub expressed disbelief towards these interpretations.
Suspicions intensified when footage of their time together was shown. In the video, Solar patted Lee Changsub on the shoulder in the waiting room, and he reciprocated by patting her on the shoulder. The cast seized on this physical contact as evidence of closeness beyond friendship, with KCM remarking that Lee Changsub must have had feelings for her. Choi Daniel added that friends typically don’t show such physical affection
Lee Changsub responded to these claims hypothesis explaining the context of their interactions. He said Solar was making his musical debut in “Mata Hari” at the time and, as a fellow musical theater performer, understood the nervousness that accompanied such a significant milestone. He expressed that his concern for her was rooted in professional empathy rather than romantic interest
When asked directly if he had ever harbored romantic feelings for Solar, Lee Changsub denied this claim. He pointed to an appearance they made on “Amazing Saturday” to promote the musical, during which Solar herself said it was “disgusting” to kiss him. Regarding the kissing scene in the production, Lee Changsub joked that the experience seemed entirely unromantic, describing it as “two pieces of meat colliding with each other”. His comment drew laughter from the studio audience and strengthened his position that the two maintain a purely platonic relationship
Further evidence of their distance friendship emerged during the episode. When asked what their respective birthdays were, they both admitted they didn’t know the dates, which surprised the cast members in attendance. Lee Changsub and Solar have maintained their friendship since they performed “Mata Hari” together in 2022, but the singer’s latest statements make it clear that there is no romantic element to their connection.
