'Street Man Fighter' dancer Young-J is facing growing backlash after confirming he will marry his much younger fiancée, a former crew member at his dance team Just Jerk, later this month in Seoul.
South Korean media report that Young-J, born Seong Young-jae, has scheduled the wedding for February 22 at a private venue in the capital, sharing polished pre-wedding and wedding-style photos that quickly spread across social media and online communities.
His bride-to-be, reportedly born in 2005, is 13 years younger than the 33-year-old dancer, a fact that has reignited intense debate about their relationship and the power imbalance between a leader and a younger team member, according to Koreaboo.
The couple is said to have first met through Just Jerk, where Young-J served as leader and mentor while his future wife was active as a dancer in the team and academy.
Over time, their professional relationship reportedly turned romantic, though exact timelines have been at the center of public concern since accusations first emerged in 2024 that he had dated a minor team member.
Online posts at the time alleged that the relationship began while the woman was still in high school and included claims that she had undergone an abortion, sparking accusations of "grooming" and abuse of authority.
Young-J strongly denied having any sexual relationship with her before she became an adult, saying that while they are indeed a couple, they only started dating after she reached legal age, allkpop reported.
In multiple statements, including a detailed social media post and interviews, he said he had sought permission from her parents before they began dating because of the large age gap and his role as her leader.
He also apologized to fans for causing "confusion" and "worry" over his personal life, acknowledging that his "short thoughts and judgments" as a leader had created a major controversy.
Despite his apology, news of the February wedding and the release of romantic photos have deepened the divide between supporters and critics.
Some fans say the relationship is a private matter now that both parties are adults, while many others in online forums and K-pop communities argue that the past allegations and the mentor–student context make the marriage troubling.
As the wedding date approaches, Young-J has not issued a new formal statement, but public scrutiny of the couple and their history continues to intensify, as per News18.
