Article: "Rosé and Kang Dong-won are not dating"... YG's unusual reversal of position
Source: 10 Asia
YG Entertainment's unusual "reversal" statement is under suspicion.
On the 17th, YG Entertainment spoke to 10 Asia and stated, "It's difficult to confirm because it's an artist's private life." Kang Dong-won's side also stated, "It's true that he went to a place where he met with close friends but other than that, we can't confirm anything else."
However, in the afternoon of the same day, YG reversed their stance and stated, "We said earlier that it was impossible to confirm Rosé's dating rumors because it's her private life but malicious speculation is continuing so we will inform you again. The dating rumors circulating about Rosé are not true."
It' has been a while since Rosé and Kang Dong-won dating rumors came out however it's only recently that an article containing direct evidence was posted on an online community. The netizen exposed blind items between the two including 'couple' necklaces and 'looks' and revealed that the two were spotted at the same event and Rosé is friends with his close acquaintances. In particular, when alleged "drug" pictures were published by Chinese media, more suspicions poured out because Kang Dong-won was also seen sitting next to Rosé in the leaked photo.
YG has always adhered to the stance of "they can't confirm an artist's private life" regarding dating rumors of their singers. Regarding 'Jennie-G Dragon,' 'Chan hyuk-Lee Sae-rom,' they stated that "it's difficult to confirm their private life." As for 'V-Jennie' dating rumors, they remained silent further complicating matters and raising more suspicions.
Despite their ambiguous position, the atmosphere is not good because of their age gap of 16 years. The situation is not any different from the 'Free Jennie' that many fans shouted when rumors of Jennie dating G Dragon, who was 8 yrs older, broke out in the past.
Nevertheless, fans are responding saying "they respect Rosé's choice." Aside from overseas fans who are tolerant of dating, domestic fans may cry out 'Free Rosé' out of pity for her but feel they shouldn't have to break up because of an age gap.
As Kang Dong-won gets older, there are more comments speculating about his marriage which seems to be the reason why YG is putting out a firm stance denying the rumors. Some are speculating that this is the reason behind YG's unusual 'reversal' stance to address such a sensitive issue at a time when Blackpink's future is uncertain as they're about to renew their contract in August.
