Autumn is the season of romance in Korea. Perhaps that's why so many relationship scandals are breaking out in the entertainment industry. It began with Dynamic Duo's Choiza rumored to be dating f(x)'s Sulli, and now there are over 4 rumored relationships that are causing an uneasy stir in the public's opinion. Ladies and gentlemen, we have sowed beautiful idol groups and have reaped a full harvest of scandals this fall.

Staring with the (alleged) Choiza-Sulli couple, there are rumored to be at least 3 more couples, with 1 couple confirming their long-term relationship. They are the (alleged) T-ARA's Soyeon-Click B's Oh Jong Hyuk couple, Infiinite's L-Kim Do Yeon couple, and Suzy-Sung Joon couple. When asked about their relationship, their initial response was that they were just good friends. The same repertoire, but the public knows better.

The (alleged) Choiza-Sulli couple was attacked on many fronts, including their 14-year age gap. They are both musicians, yes, but one is a member of an internationally popular idol group and the other is one of the faces of modern Korean hip-hop. They operate on different fields, which is why it was so surprising and met with the disapproval of many.

Choiza, as an older man dating a younger girl, may have gained some 'street cred' and bragging rights. Sulli, on the other hand, lost a lot of things being caught up in a scandal with Choiza. Dating a man that's 14 years older takes away from her pure image. Idols are judged harshly by their fans, and so it wasn't unexpected when Sulli's popularity took a dip. Of course, Sulli and Choiza never publicly acknowledged their relationship.

If they really were dating, would it be better if they came out truthfully? Remember when Sulli came out on "Radio Star?" Kim Gu Ra, the MC of the show, told Sulli to hang out with even more boys so that hanging out with just one guy doesn't seem like a big deal - that is, Sulli is a full grown woman who should be able to date whoever she wants to. Why lie about it? The fans will love her for being honest.

SM Entertainment chose to use the "smoke-and-mirrors" tactic to deal with this rumor, which is slightly insulting to the fans. Just as IU suffered last year because she didn't explain herself to the public's satisfaction, it seems that this time Sulli may be the one going through similar suffering. The public often forgets, but it rarely forgives. Every time they become a hot issue, for better or for worse, celebrities' past scandals will always be remembered.

That's why T-ARA's So Yeon reaction is exemplary. She took the initiative and revealed her relationship with Click B's Oh Jong Hyuk. The fans admired her for staying true through her boyfriend's military service. T-ARA, who previously embattled with scandals and the disapproval of the public, had their public image change overnight thanks to So Yeon.

Following the lines of scandalous previously-nationally-beloved idols IU and Sulli is Suzy. Miss A superstar Suzy and actor Sung Joon vehemently denied the rumor, but the persistent media and the public are digging into the story. With their respective entertainment companies simply trying to deny the rumors instead of offering any explanation, the fans (and the anti-fans) are left to wonder not only about the truthfulness of their claims, but also whether Suzy's image as a beloved national star was built on lies. Will the public soon forget the scandal? Maybe. Maybe not.

The way the public looks at a star may be initiated by these rumors, but the way these rumors are handled are the images that the public remembers. One girl's truthfulness garnered praise and love of the public, while others who weren't brave enough struggled between being truthful and making themselves publicly vulnerable as a couple, and lying to escape the conflict. If anyone asks, telling the truth is the answer. Fame comes and goes, and if fair-weather fans decide to walk away, they didn't deserve you in the first place. Tell the truth so you're not embarrassed in the future when everyone finds out.