2015 proved to be a phenomenal year for the K-pop idol girl group EXID. Their success technically initiated back in 2014 with their hit single “Up & Down” reaching No. 1 on the Gaon Singles Charts. That one event would be followed by the release of their mini-album titled Ah Yeah in April of 2015. It was met with commercial success, though their lead single also titled “Ah Yeah” only peaked at being a runner-up on the Gaon Singles Chart. EXID then ended their 2015 on a high note with their next single titled “Hot Pink,” which was released back in November, also gaining commercial success.
Despite the success of EXID as a K-pop idol girl group, if there is one specific member who had a phenomenal 2015 with her solo endeavors, that member would be Hani. Within the span of the year, Hani released a solo single titled “Gap” which reached No. 25 on the Gaon Chart, made a cameo in hit K-drama Producers , and was featured, either as a guest or part of the main cast, in 20 variety shows, including a memorable guest appearance on the 275th episode of Running Man .
Now Hani just ended her 2015 on a high note as she goes into 2016 in love. It was recently confirmed that Hani and Junsu of JYJ are dating. This makes the K-pop idols the first official K-pop idol couple for 2016.
Chatter for Hani and Junsu dating first started back when Dispatchreleased photos of the two out on dates. According to the Korean celebrity news and rumor outlet, the two were dating for six months and would usually meet in Junsu and his manager’s apartment. They released photos of the two on dates on November 27, December 24, and December 25, 2015.
Eventually, all the rumors would cause Junsu’s talent agency, C-JeS Entertainment, to make a statement pertaining to the rumors. Apparently, Hani and Junsu were indeed dating for the past six months as detailed by AllKpop . As a matter of fact, a representative at C-JeS Entertainment provided an official statement on their relationship too.
“This is the official statement on Junsu and EXID Hani’s dating news. The two first encouraged and supported each other in their activities as a sunbae and hoobae as artists. It’s true that recently, they have begun a relationship and are meeting well.”
“But as the two are artists who are receiving a lot of love, we ask for warm regards. As dating is a personal matter we cannot reveal any more and ask for your understanding.”
It is great to find out both Hani and Junsu found love, but an upcoming event in Junsu’s life may put a strain on their current relationship. According to KpopStarz , the CEO of C-JeS Entertainment made it known that Junsu will be enlisting for his conscription , or mandatory military service, this year. Given the fact Junsu is currently 30-years-old by the Korean system of counting age (which means he is technically 29), he needs to get said conscription done since all males have to serve at least two years before they turn 35. This will make Junsu the final member of JYJ to enlist as the other two members, Jaejoong and Yoochun, began their services in March and August of 2015 respectively.
Due to the strict rules those who are serving their conscription have to follow, many K-pop fans, especially those who are JYJ fans or a part of L.E.G.O. (EXID fans), are concerned Hani and Junsu will end up having to break up. If both want to stay loyal to each other, they will have to hold out for two years until Junsu completes his service. To be frank, the likeliness of Hani and Junsu remaining together while the latter goes into the military is kind of low. Two years is a long time to wait for someone anyone has been in a relationship for in just six months.
[Images via C-JeS Entertainment Promotions for JYJ and Screen Capture of Clash of Kings Commercial]