(G)I-DLE‘s Soyeon has sparked heated debate online after her past comments on K-Pop idol dating culture recently resurfaced. The star’s unexpected remarks, made during a variety show appearance alongside SE SO NEON‘s Soyoon, are now gaining traction among Korean netizens.
During the show, Soyeon reflected on how idols are often expected to avoid certain behaviors, even though they’re not illegal or morally wrong.
Soyeon: One of the things people think is bad but isn’t… Is like smoking. Smoking isn’t illegal. Adults can smoke, adults can drink. In idol culture… There are things you’re just not supposed to do… Like dating.
SE SO NEON’s Soyoon: Dating is honestly the weirdest one to me.
Soyeon: But I think it’s fine. If someone wants to date, they should.
Soyoon then expressed her confusion about why romantic relationships involving a K-Pop idol are still taboo. She clarified that she understands both sides — those who date and those who choose to follow the industry’s unwritten rules.
Soyoon: But when you think about it on a broader level… Loving someone… is part of why we’re born… Loving is as natural as eating or breathing. But idols still can’t openly do it.
Soyeon: It’s not that they can’t… Honestly they don’t have to hide it. However, if they don’t hide it they need to be prepared for the consequences.
However, she was also realistic about the consequences, saying it’s not possible to date and keep all your fans happy at the same time.
Someone wants to keep their fans’ hearts while also dating. I don’t think that’s possible. [Host: It’s selfish.] It really is selfish.
— (G)I-DLE’s Soyeon
Soyeon’s words sparked heated reactions from netizens, many of whom called out the harsh realities of the idol industry.
- “Fans are the same. If you’re going to stop being a fan just because an idol is dating, then that was the extent of your feelings to begin with. Just move on, find someone else to support, or focus on your own life. There’s no need to hate, mock, or act like idols dating is some kind of crime.”
- “Well, that kind of reaction is mostly from teenagers… Do full-grown adults really act like that? If adults do it too, that’s honestly just disappointing.”
- “You’re right, but personally, I find it kind of ridiculous when an idol, who isn’t even a veteran or a well-established actor, starts openly dating like it’s no big deal. Their job is literally to profit off creating a fantasy, and doing that makes them seem like they have zero professionalism. They want to do whatever they want but still make money off fans? If they had dated secretly and just got caught, I’d genuinely support them.”
- “What Soyeon said is true, but the culture itself is also messed up. Getting hate just for dating is wrong in the first place. What she meant wasn’t ‘because they’re idols,’ but ‘because they’re adults.’ It’s like saying, ‘Even if a fan throws crap at you, just avoid it because it’s dirty.’ Lol. People who criticize idols for dating are basically saying, ‘I don’t care if they think I’m a pile of crap as long as they pretend in front of me.’ Of course, idols would grow to resent fans. From their perspective, how pathetic must it seem to want them to act all sweet in front of you while being shady behind your back?”
- “That’s honestly spot-on. The idol industry is seriously cutthroat filled with people who are insanely good-looking, talented, and amazing at fan service. If Idol A and Idol B have the same qualities, but A is dating, and B isn’t, most people are going to prefer B.”