K-pop dating tips: how do idols hook up in secret? Girls’ Generation’s Sunny and Sandara Park recommend video calls, while Girl’s Day’s Hyeri suggests meeting men through stylists
- In South Korea’s music industry, where agencies like JYP have rules against dating, stars need to get creative
- Lovelyz’ Yoo Ji-ae admitted another member of the girl band once received a signed CD from a male idol – with his number scribbled inside
Using match makers
Usually surrounded by cameras, it’s not easy for idols to get to know the person they like outside their highly protective bubbles. In cases like these, Girl’s Day’s Hyeri offered up a tip. In an episode of the talk show Life Bar that aired in 2017, she said one way around it was to reach out through hair and fashion stylists who know both parties.
Sending secret notes
Instead of asking for phone numbers, some idols opt for a more subtle approach by secretly leaving their contacts for the ones they have their eye on.
In the K-pop industry, it is something of a tradition for idol groups to visit sunbae (senior) idols’ dressing rooms to say hi and introduce their new albums. On 2019 show Hun Man Jung Eum, Lovelyz’ Yoo Ji-ae admitted that one of the group’s members received a signed CD from another idol under the guise that he was a big fan. His number was in fact scribbled down on the inside.
Meeting in open places
Ironically, one idol’s top tip for avoiding close public scrutiny is to go to a place where it’s open and crowded. In a 2018 Radiostar episode, Rainbow member and leader Kim Jae-kyung admitted that her method for not getting busted was to date others while touring around Korean palaces wearing hanbok.