On September 29, Tuesday, numerous media outlets reported that Super Junior member Ryeowook was in a romantic relationship with former TAHITI member Ari. Following media reports, Label SJ confirmed the two are dating.

Label SJ released a short and brief statement concerning the couple, saying, "Ryeowook and Ari have had a close sunbae-hoobae relationship, and we confirm that the relationship since then has turned into a dating relationship."

Reports of the two dating came after numerous ELFs uncovered photos of Ryeowook and Ari together, which prompted fans to speculate that the two were together.

(Photo : Twitter)

Following the confirmation of the news, Ryeowook shared a letter of fans through LYSN. His letter reads,

(Photo : LYSN)

"Hello, this is Ryeowook.

I am sorry for making everybody wait for so long.

I was worried about how to start this message, as I thought about the ELFs who must have felt hurt by the news, no matter what I say.

First of all, I feel apologetic to announce that there is a friend who I am seeing this way. Thinking about it now, I thin ELFs have provided me so much love and support for me to see that friend. I should have thought more about ELFs, and I am currently reflecting on that. I think my lack of consideration led to more confusion.

The friend I mentioned, I am dating her.

There are some misunderstandings that are going around, and there are fake stories that I have never said nor through about. Both Super Junior and ELFs mean the world to me. It is disheartening that there are so many fake rumors being spread.

I have hurt ELFs a lot. The names and messages that were made on LYSN Bubble were so sincere. There isn't a single thing that I was insincere about. In the recent selfie I uploaded, the flowers in the photo were given to me by a staff member that came to see me in concert.

I do not use social media, and Bubble is the only way I can communicate with our ELFs. You guys chose to communicate with me here too, so I wanted to do my best. I really wanted to share my daily life with ELFs, and I did not want to make you feel lonely or sad.

I have started planning on opening a cafe for my parents to work in, now that things have become idle. What you all are thinking about, it will never happen. I don't want to use the name Ryeowook or Super Junior for such things. I do not know much about the said field, so I wanted to get some help from a friend. I am sorry for hurting you with my actions."

Ari has also taken to Twitter to share a lengthy post addressing numerous misunderstands both concerning her relationship with Ryeowook and other conflicts she had. In terms of her relationship with Ryeowook, she clarifies that though she helped with his cafe, she does not earn from it and actually volunteered to help with the interior. She also clarifies that they have not worn couple rings but have worn rings of similar design. Lastly, she clarifies that she did not send him the flowers, but had recommended the bouquet from a flower shop she took lessons in before. She apologized to the fans she must have hurt and that she is being sincere in her words.

pic.twitter.com/dJxaMWh7Yj — 아리 (@TAHITI__Ari) September 29, 2020

What do you think of the situation?