Regulations of Each Agency in Korea Regarding the Prohibition of Dating for K-Pop Idols: Contract Prohibiting Dating vs. Artists Who Choose Not to Date

Kapanlagi.com - As you may know, three artists from SM Entertainment recently revealed their relationships to the public. Changmin of TVXQ admitted to being in a relationship with a non-celebrity woman, Heechul of Super Junior confirmed his relationship with Momo of TWICE, and Chen of EXO announced his marriage plans and the news of his wife's pregnancy.

Until now, Korean idols have been unable to freely disclose their relationships to the public, as if K-Pop artists are taboo to have a significant other. In reality, some agencies do prohibit their artists from dating for a certain period of time, as stated in their contracts. There are also companies that do not prohibit their artists from dating as long as it does not interfere with their careers. However, there is also another factor, which is that many Korean artists choose not to date yet because they are focused on their careers.

1. SM Entertainment

EXO © SM Entertainment

So far, artists in SM Entertainment are known to not have a dating ban or prohibition. It can be seen that SM Entertainment artists are often caught dating by Dispatch or other media. However, the agency does ask its artists to try to keep their relationships unknown to the public.

2. YG Entertainment

BLACKPINK © YG Entertainment

YG Entertainment is an agency that has a regulation prohibiting its artists from dating for a certain period of time. During an interview while promoting 'As If It's Your Last', BLACKPINK revealed that they still have a dating ban in their contracts.

"There haven't been any changes regarding the dating ban in our contracts," the members explained.

In another interview, Jisoo revealed that this dating ban can still be discussed with the agency. Unlike Chanhyuk (AKMU) who actually received support to date in order to gain inspiration for making music. However, Suhyun, the younger sister, still had a dating ban in 2017 because she was not old enough.

3. JYP Entertainment

TWICE © JYP Entertainment

JYP Entertainment does have a 3-year dating ban for all of its artists upon debut. This was confirmed directly by Somi, who is a former trainee of theirs, "We are not allowed to date for 3 years after debut."

TWICE and GOT7 have been revealed to have been released from the dating ban, while Stray Kids are still under the dating ban. The only JYP Entertainment singer who has never had a dating ban is Baek Ayeon. The agency actually suggests that the idol find a partner because such experience and feelings are needed as a singer and songwriter.

4. BigHit Entertainment

BTS © BigHit Entertainment

The agency that manages BTS and TXT does not have any rules prohibiting their artists from dating. The BTS members have also been allowed to use their phones since debut. In fact, it is the BTS members themselves who have chosen not to date yet because they are focused on their careers.

"Although there is no dating ban in the contract, the members are very focused on their work and strive to create their best works every day," the agency explained.

5. PLEDIS Entertainment

Seventeen - PRISTIN © PLEDIS Entertainment

According to former PRISTIN member Kulkyung, Pledis Entertainment has a dating ban for 3-4 years after their artists debut. "They told me that the dating ban lasts for 3-4 years," she explained.

6. Banana Culture Entertainment

EXID © Banana Culture Entertainment

Hani EXID also revealed that her agency never prohibited artists from dating, "They told me that if I have a boyfriend, it's my own business. I have to handle it myself."

The fact that dating is considered taboo for Korean artists has been a 'K-Pop tradition' since the past until now. Some fans still feel reluctant if their idols are dating, and there are even some who refuse to accept it when their idols get married, like the cases of Sungmin from Super Junior and Chen from EXO. Some agencies still impose dating bans on their artists. Considering that dating is part of personal life, do you think it is still necessary to continue this 'K-Pop tradition'?

(kpl/jje)