What do you think? Are TVXQ Changmin and f(x) Victoria dating?  These news recently have been the subject of much buzz and speculation.  And fuel just keeps being added to the fire.   We see pictures of 'couple things' and other evidences when it comes to these two SM Entertainment artists who are currently on the hot seat.    But are the evidences being unearthed valid and believable?  Is casual friendship being regarded as 'skinship', believed to be something more than what it is?  And of course, the most important question to ask is why it is made a big deal?

Let's take a look at the culture among fans that are behind the evidences being unearthed.  Oftentimes, fans can be an interesting group.  Being able to catch behind-the-scenes photos that are never before published, it is revealed that fans do follow their favorite artists in nearly every possible opportunity.  Seeing Victoria and Changmin seemingly hold hands in one of the photos that were digged by fans is a matter to be considered.  There is no denying the fact that the photo does look real, sans Photoshop, but the settings were a bit too dark, and did look to have an agenda it was set to make. In that photo, together with what SM Entertainment claimed, there also seemed to be other staff present.  Now, in the presence of other staff and in quite a public place where fans can possibly access them or see them in broad visibility, would it make sense to deny the blossoming of a romance if indeed there was one?  Nevermind that Changmin and Victoria are both Hallyu stars at a very elevated status in the wave, but the fact if indeed a relationship was true it will be disappointing to see their management deny such truth. 

Because dating bans are quite common in the Korean entertainment industry, it is quite easy for fans to speculate that SM Entertainment is just trying to control the situation without lifting the ban.  However, these are young entertainers of dating age who likely badly wants to date. So, if this was true, we likely are going to see another slew of mis-posts from either party or more photos in a public setting. 

However, the fact that Korean and most Asian friendship can be quite touchy-feely. It is rather common in the culture for friends of the same age and of a deeper level of closeness to hold hands and be affectionate in public, sans relationships.  It is common to see guys holding hands with each other, as it is common with girls putting their hands over each other in this culture, and so it still occurs even between opposite genders, among casual and close friends.  With that, it becomes more plausible that Victoria and Changmin were just hanging out.

The other pieces of evidence are the "couple things" they had been seen using in a number of separate occasions.  Now, this is one thing I don't quite understand.  While I appreciate the fact that couples do really want to express togetherness by having couple things, it is quite a baffling concept as to why couples in secret would risk being seen with similar items if they are not trying to tell the whole world about their relationship.  Is a relationship so vulnerable that each of them would need to reassure each other of commitment and risk being outed by the fans they very well know follow their every move? 

As idols and very public figures, Victoria and Changmin likely knew the consequences of their actions and were ready to stand by it, in the best way they know.  And given the only statement made about the whole 'scandal' is that they are always accompanied with other staff in those settings, then it is revealed that the two friends are just hanging out, and if indeed having anything beyond friendship, are not quite ready to face the consequences by themselves.  

And to the rest of us who only put them as specimens on our microscope, will we be unearthing evidence after evidence if for example each of them gets caught hanging out with other people. Say, if Victoria is seen hanging out with Nickhun again, will we say they are rekindling a romance?  How about if Changmin gets a little close and cozy with Girls Generation Seohyun, will we think they too are dating?   Then, is this how the cycle would end and begin again?  In that way, does it even make sense for us to think that the artists we look up to so much could be dating around in circles, without regard for the feelings of each other?

In the meantime, as humans, with needs for normal relations even among each other, let's give them the space and the time to sort this out.  Whether dating or not, both Victoria and Changmin appear to have found a friend in each other, and like the rest of us, having good friends is essential to appreciate life, especially for them who are constantly in the scrutiny of others. 

Writer: Dorothy A