Love stories of former girl group stars sparked a huge sensation online. K-pop fans showed mixed reactions to this. Some fans expressed negative views, saying, "Why bring up such stories?" while others responded positively, saying, "It's about time to talk about it now."

Yoo Ji-ae and Seo Ji-soo, former members of Lovelyz, appeared on the YouTube channel 'Dongdong Pocha' operated by Super Junior's Shin Dong and revealed their past dating experiences. Shin Dong asked them, "Tell us how you dated." Yoo Ji-ae said, "The dorm curfew was midnight," adding, "I stayed in the room near the door. I had to be back before 12. But I would leave around 3 or 4 a.m. and come back around 7 a.m." Seo Ji-soo added, "When I went to meet someone around 2 a.m., there was nowhere open, so I just walked until 7 a.m."

Opinions among fans were divided due to the fact that these were dating confessions from idols. Lovelyz debuted in 2014 and gained much love with songs like "Ah-Choo" and "Destiny." They disbanded after their contract ended in 2021, and now the members are pursuing individual activities. Seo Ji-soo is active as a game streamer BJ and actress, while Yoo Ji-ae has transitioned to acting.

After the content was released, some fans reacted by saying it was "stirring up trouble." There is still a taboo against dating within the K-pop industry. Some agencies even include dating bans in contracts, and fans tend to be sensitive about idols' private lives. Due to the nature of fandom culture, where fans emotionally invest deeply in idols, statements about dating can be taken very sensitively from the fans' perspective.

Some fans pointed out, "This could cause unnecessary trouble for junior idols currently active." On the other hand, other fans showed a more tolerant view. Lovelyz debuted over 10 years ago, and their group activities ended with their 10th-anniversary concert held last January. Since dating stories do not harm current activities, there is no reason to keep them taboo. With most members now in their 30s, one K-pop fan remarked, "It's strange that dating stories are still considered a problem even when idols are in their 30s."

This controversy reflects the complex fan culture in the K-pop industry and social perceptions of idols' private lives. The taboo on dating remains a legacy of the past, complicating the relationship between fans and idols. While fans show great interest in idols' private lives, voices calling for respect for their personal choices are growing louder.

Ultimately, the statements by Yoo Ji-ae and Seo Ji-soo opened a new discussion about K-pop idols' private lives. Between past taboos and current changes, there is a growing need for both fans and idols to understand and respect each other. Such changes will become increasingly important alongside the development of the K-pop industry.