ATEEZ member San stirred conversation this week when he revealed that their agency has given them permission to date, a topic that is often considered taboo in the K-pop industry.
During a recent broadcast on Dolsing 4Men, San was asked about romantic relationships. While idols typically avoid any discussion surrounding dating, the 26-year-old idol did not hesitate to answer, telling the show's hosts that their agency had not forbidden them to engage in relationships.
"There's no clause in our agency contract that forbids dating. The agency always tells us, 'If you want to see someone, go ahead, but make sure it doesn't interfere with your work," he said.
This candid admission from San offers a notable departure from the traditional dating restrictions imposed by many K-pop agencies that often prohibit idols from dating for several years after debut. These dating bans are typically aimed at maintaining an idol's "wholesome" image and avoiding potential fan backlash. Many groups under major entertainment companies like JYP, SM, and HYBE have experienced these strict regulations, which often extend for the first three to five years of an idol's career.
The strict banning policies have often caused controversy when idols are found dating. For instance, idols have been subject to public scandals, fan outrage, and sometimes even career setbacks when their relationships are exposed prematurely. High-profile cases such as Sungmin from Super Junior and HyunA have shown how dating news can lead to intense fan reactions ranging from disappointed backlash to sustained harassment.
In December 2014, Sungmin became the subject of backlash after he announced his marriage to actress Kim Sa-eun. Fans were upset because they believed the idol failed to inform them properly about his marriage and had purposely planned the wedding while he had scheduled group activities. The controversy grew further after Sungmin changed his autograph to include his wife's nickname.
"I was the first idol to get married, and I worried how fans would react. Before I could explain, the rumors spread and the articles came out. I didn't know how to respond," Sungmin said in an episode of "The Return of Superman" in October, more than 10 years after the controversy.
In 2018, HyunA and Dawn publicly confirmed their two-year relationship after Cube Entertainment initially denied the rumors. Their announcement led to their artists' contracts being immediately terminated due to "loss of trust." The couple noted that they only learned about their removal from the agency through reports from media agencies. Dawn later took an indefinite hiatus from the activities of his group, "Pentagon."
