K-pop entertainment companies have a long history of denying rumors that later turn out to be completely true. From romantic relationships to serious scandals, these agencies often prioritize image protection over honesty. From the Burning Sun scandal to dating rumors, here are five “false” claims that were eventually proven true, showing how entertainment companies sometimes mislead fans.
1. Super Junior’s Heechul and TWICE’s Momo
Rumors swirled in August 2019 about Heechul and Momo’s secret relationship. Both agencies quickly jumped to deny these claims. SJ Label insisted the two were “just close junior and senior” idols. JYP Entertainment echoed this, stating firmly that “dating rumors between the two are not true.”
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Fast forward to January 2020, and everything changed. Both agencies suddenly confirmed the relationship. The truth came out when the couple made headlines again. This flip-flop left many fans wondering why the agencies lied in the first place. The sudden reversal damaged trust and raised questions about how often companies mislead the public about their artists’ personal lives.
2. HyunA and DAWN
In 2018, TV Report broke news that Triple H members HyunA and DAWN were dating. CUBE Entertainment wasted no time denying this report. They stated clearly that rumors about the couple “are not true.”
The couple shocked fans by confirming their relationship themselves. This bold move cost them their positions at CUBE Entertainment. Despite this setback, they continued making music together for years. Their engagement eventually ended in 2023. Their courage to speak truth against their agency’s instructions became a landmark moment in K-pop history, inspiring other idols to be more honest.
HyunA and DAWN explained their decision to go public. “We wanted to honestly tell our fans who have loved us,” they said. They felt it would be hard to face fans on stage while hiding their relationship. This statement highlighted the personal struggle idols face when balancing company demands with their desire for authenticity.
3. Choi Jonghoon and Lee Jonghyun
In 2019, rumors linked former F.T. ISLAND member Choi Jonghoon and former CNBLUE member Lee Jonghyun to the Burning Sun scandal. The accusations were serious. They allegedly participated in Jung Joon Young’s chatroom where illegal videos were shared.
FNC Entertainment strongly denied any involvement. They claimed the idols “had only contacted the certain socially controversial celebrities as friends.” The agency insisted they had “no connection with the recent scandal.” This categorical denial attempted to distance their artists from what was becoming a major criminal investigation.
The truth later emerged, contradicting these denials. Choi received a five-year prison sentence, later reduced to two years. He was released in November 2021. Lee admitted to viewing inappropriate videos and making offensive comments about women. The scandal permanently damaged both idols’ careers and highlighted how far agencies will go to protect their investments, even when serious allegations emerge.
4. BB Girls’ Yujeong and actor Lee Kyu Han
Dating rumors between Yujeong and Lee Kyu Han surfaced in 2023. Warner Bros Korea quickly shut them down. They claimed the two were “just friends who hang out in the same circle.” This denial followed the familiar pattern of agencies protecting their artists’ single image.
The truth came out just two months later. Yujeong confirmed they were actually dating. She explained the initial denial on Radio Star. When rumors first spread, they had only been on a few dates. They were in the early “talking stage” of their relationship. Confirming so soon felt “weird” to her. This case showed a more nuanced situation where timing, rather than outright deception, influenced the initial denial.
5. Yong Jun Hyung
An exposé linked former HIGHLIGHT member Yong Jun Hyung to the 2019 Burning Sun scandal chats. Around Us Entertainment firmly denied this connection. They called it a “groundless rumor” and insisted “singer Yong” was not Yong Junhyung. The statement was unambiguous in its attempt to distance the idol from the growing scandal.
Jun Hyung later admitted his involvement as a “silent observer.” His statement revealed the truth. “All of these actions were extremely immoral, and I was very foolish,” he confessed. He acknowledged knowing about Jung Joon Young’s behavior. His admission directly contradicted his agency’s earlier statement.
He cooperated with investigators and revealed everything he knew. “I was ashamed and felt horrified,” he admitted. Jun Hyung claimed he never took or shared illegal videos himself.
He maintained only occasional contact with Jung since late 2016. Still, he admitted fault in not stopping the behavior when he knew about it. This case demonstrated how agencies sometimes issue denials without fully knowing the extent of their artists’ involvement.