Taeyang - “Only in South Korea do idols need official statements on their private life”

[frantastic.livejournal.com]

In a recent meeting with the press, Taeyang talks about idols dating in South Korea, in response to a question thrown towards G-Dragon.

On November 25th, G-Dragon and Taeyang met with the press in Mapo, Seoul, as they promote their latest single, “Good Boy.”

During the interview, G-Dragon was asked to comment on the photos published of him together with Japanese model, Kiko Mizuhara, to which he replied, “I have nothing to say.” However, as the interviewer continued to talk about the scandal, G-Dragon was about to make a comment but became hesitant when signalled by an agency staff.

Despite the interruption, G-Dragon answered the question saying that no other words will benefit him, emphasising the need to release a statement when it is time. He also redirected the statement of the interviewer that as meeting another person is not forbidden, he will remain doubtful to personally confirm or deny the reports.

Seeing the turn of the interview, Taeyang shared his thoughts on celebrities dating in South Korea, stating that, “I think it is only in South Korea where an official statement is needed for our private lives.” He explains that he finds it worrying for the public to be interested in the minute details of their life, citing that it also becomes a burden to their company to release something that needs not be said.

Meanwhile, G-Dragon joins Taeyang under the project unit, GD X Taeyang, as they exclusively perform “Good Boy” for the first time at the 2014 MAMA in Hong Kong on December 3rd.

Source: MK via naver; koreaboo

Comments

[rikayla.livejournal.com]

Japanese celebs make statements too, but he's not too wrong... Hope this changes in Korea soon.

[hearttaek.livejournal.com]

While i think K-ent has this weird thing were celebs dating are called "scandals", and seen as dirty or whatever, k-ent is definitely not the only industry where celebrities have to give explanations about their private lives. Heck i think korean celebs don't get asked too much details compared to other industries where you get play by plays of how they met, what gifts they gave each other, rumored breakups leading to real breakups from "sources close to xxxxx" or sometimes the people themselves. With k-ent; we know they're dating. Once in a while we hear they're still dating and that's that.

With regards to the companies, i think it's mostly cause celebs don't talk about it themselves, that's why media expects an answer from their representatives, while in other cases where the industry is more accepting of celebs dating, celebs can be more candid about it in interviews and give answers in a much casual setting.

Idk. Still sucks for everyone living that life but i disagree with taeyang's statement. That's all. And welp this was long.

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

Heck i think korean celebs don't get asked too much details compared to other industries where you get play by plays of how they met, what gifts they gave each other, rumored breakups leading to real breakups from "sources close to xxxxx" or sometimes the people themselves.

Yeah, the Anglophone - mainly American/British - media is flagrantly bad in this regard (although sometimes the celebs themselves cynically play along....ESPECIALLY those horrible, fame-starved reality show types). I usually actively avoid celebrity dating news, and I still know way more than I want to - it finds you.

[kaninasan.livejournal.com]

i think the first part is because there's less (or no?) paparazzi in korea, so gossip rags have much less to go on.

[snowmog.livejournal.com]

The only paparazzi-like media corporation in Korea are Dispatch, who always seem to uncover all the 'scandals', but on the whole, it does seem very different. However fansites act like the paparazzi more than the media do. And then there's the creepy sasaengs, who seem to know everything. In a way, the paparazzi doesn't need to exist; all the media journalists need to do is look through the right places on the internet and all the information comes to them.

There's also been past accusations of scandals being used to cover-up problems or scandals involving those in the government. The average Korean will only look at the top trending stories on Daum, Naver and Nate, so the juicy celebrity stories may be saved until something else needs to be covered up.

[scionofawhisper.livejournal.com]

"he finds it worrying for the public to be interested in the minute details of their life"
Worrying? But people come to know people who appear a lot in media like they do their friends and naturally become interested in their lives. Although I feel bad for idols who have their private lives aired in public and judged, I also kinda think that it's part of the human condition to care about the people that enter into their lives, and that includes people like celebs that you can come to 'know' because of what they do...

[msgrottesca.livejournal.com]

I agree with him that it's incredibly dumb for people to be so invested in their dating lives (or lack thereof), but this isn't entirely true. This is also extremely common with Japanese celebrities. Actors, JE idols and the like all generally make an official statement about their relationships.

[scheisse.livejournal.com]

Blame the way labels run the k-entertainment business. If labels didn't try to portray their talent as virginal and innocent and allowed them to be actual human beings, they would be able to be open with fans and fans wouldn't be so damn thirsty for everything. The only reason you guys have to make statements is because what you do goes against the image your label has portrayed for you. If you guys were allowed to be real people, you wouldn't have to explain anything because your actions would be seen as real people actions.

[kaninasan.livejournal.com]

bigbang has never been portrayed as "virginal and innocent" though

[itsnvrcldinhell.livejournal.com]

That's not the point though

[kaninasan.livejournal.com]

I know what the point is.

But it's also a fact that YG markets their acts differently than SM, for example. Idt i've ever heard Bigbang say the "my fans are my girlfriend" stuff that other groups push and make tons of money on. Winner don't do it either.
IMO therefore YG shouldn't be under the same pressure as SM to issue statements about their idols's private lives, bc their private lives have never been a part of the package being sold. And it seems YG feels the same since they seem to go out of their way to avoid putting out these sort of statements. Just my opinion though.

[hongaerin.livejournal.com]

I agree with you, but only regarding boy bands under YG.
While 2NE1 never went for the "my fans are my boyfriends" image, YG still kept putting the emphasis on their dating ban, and he is doing the same thing with Lee Hi.

[kaninasan.livejournal.com]

oh yeah the way YG treats his female artists is a fucking disgrace. He's a creep tbh.

[itsnvrcldinhell.livejournal.com]

I don't know I mean when I'm into an artist or an idol I like to know stuff about them, I know I'm not entitled to this information but it would be cool if this person i admire likes to watch the same shows I like which would increase their awesomeness. Thats just me though.

I get that YG doesn't portray their artist that way but why bother going on variety shows? why go on any tv/mags that revolve around q&a about your personal life in the first place (yeah I know promotion) but thats beside the point

IMO whatever package their selling people will always want more doesn't mean their entitled to it. People will always be interested in the mask behind the music.


(sorry about the previous, i didn't mean to sound condescending)

[kaninasan.livejournal.com]

Talking about what tv show/book/music/restaurant they enjoy is vastly different from talking about who they're dating though.

IA with you, it's fun knowing little tidbits about the artist you like, but by that I mean what food they like, whether they prefer cats or dogs, whether they were a nerd at school etc. and lbr the artist could just make stuff up to answer those questions if they wanted to. But I have no interest in knowing their personal relationships, because they don't concern me at all.

[itsnvrcldinhell.livejournal.com]

precisely

but people are crazy

the whole entitlement thing is excruciating

I don't really care whether an idol dates or not, I more concerned about whether their racist, misogynistic, pos or just a dumbass

I have reached a verdict

i just kinda feel bad that Teayang actually had to point out the obvious

[thariamon.livejournal.com]

"Only"... really, that's what you're using. I really don't care if they date or not but the way they handle this whole 'relationship' in public and what they say are not consistent, dating is a normal thing for any human and it's also natural for fans to worry about their idols.

He explains that he finds it worrying for the public to be interested in the minute details of their life

If they weren't then the whole concept of being an idol would go to waste. This is something any fandom, worldwide, share. I don't think caring about people you look up to is something to be worried about.

Then again, not a Big Bang fan.

[prdarkstar.livejournal.com]

Worrying and caring about an idol is not the same thing as being intrusive and entitled. That line gets crossed way too often and it's not just worrying, it's frightening.

[thariamon.livejournal.com]

I agree on that. There's always gonna be intrusive "fans" but I don't think all of them/us are that way.

[leighbee333.livejournal.com]

mte

[kaninasan.livejournal.com]

mte

[jrt131n.livejournal.com]

Yeah but big bang has sasaengs so I'm thinking it could be a reference to those types of fans that break into dorms or fall idols around in cabs and find out their phone numbers and call them every day to the point that the idol has to change their number.

[sra-interesante.livejournal.com]

if you say something they will always ask for more details
say nothig it's a perfect answer imo

[imangos.livejournal.com]

Nah, even saying nothing is considering saying "something". GD refuses to confirm or deny his relationship with Kiko and netizens are up in arms about this; they're practically frothing at the mouth waiting for a confirmation.

[fent11.livejournal.com]

hmm.... isnt it the same for every country.....

[boiinks2.livejournal.com]

It's common in a lot of entertainment industries for a celebrity to make "official" statements about their personal life. However, in a lot of places, there isn't the expectation that management/labels/agencies should release a statement about their artists' dating lives.

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

I think it's inappropriate for fans and others to constantly demand that information if they don't want to talk about it.

Tae should have just called out sasaengs and the media for stalking them and insisting on knowing but implying it is good enough

[mlmello.livejournal.com]

mte

[petecarl.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't agree with him that celebs in other countries don't have to make statements about their relationship, but I do agree, at least with US/UK/European stars that it's less likely to cause a "scandal" when the media plays 'are they or aren't they?'. And if it does cause a scandal, it's unlikely to be career-ending and will probably blow over after a short time.

[la-geni.livejournal.com]

I love Taeyang but he's only saying that cuz GD is his friend. Let's all be real now.

The moment those jiko photos came out, everyone with two eyes was calling set-up on those pictures. Some rumors are flying around inside the fandom about it, none of us really knows...Thing is since...2009 as I recall, or 2010, pictures have been steadily leaking of Jiko. A google search is enough to show anyone. I remember they been caught several times around Japan,, hanging out in Korea, Thailand, Vegas....YG has made the same statement for years now. I think that after five years or however long they've been together, sweeping it under the rug doesn't work anymore, and it even makes GD look like he's lacking some balls. It's not even about making statements or not at this point, it's just stupid to hide it.. In the Western world it's common to announce babies/relationships/marriages with a magazine cover or an exclusive interview with Oprah or something. Unless they are trying that? Waiting for exclusive interview? I mean unless he's gonna pull some Seo Taiji shit.

I'm only saying this because TOP told the fans to back the fuck off his personal life once, and that's all it took.

[slaynee.livejournal.com]

I disagree with him saying its worrying that people want to know every detail of their lives. That happens to celebrities everywhere. I partly disagree with the "official statement" thing because the publicists and 'reps' of hollywood celebrities release statements about this kind of thing too. The difference tho is that they can choose whether or not they want to release a statement. They can choose to not say anything. The biggest problem with the k-industry is that dating has a weird stigma that can actually affect someone's career. If you don't say anything fans will get angry. If you say something they /still/ get angry and then you have the crazy bitches become vengeful and turn against you. This industry gives fans too much power and its never going to stop because that entitlement can be very profitable for the company

[blackstarnebula.livejournal.com]

Taeyang is only trying to stand up for his bro, which is understandable.

But this is a lie, if anything Korean stars get off easy in terms of their private lives. However, most countries dont have sansangs which are probably worse then the paparazzi

[mlmello.livejournal.com]

I blame big bang postponed comeback for this. #delulu

[oppameansit.livejournal.com]

lol no, in japan they have to as well

also regular celebs (not idols) in the us made statements regarding their personal lives all the time

[seroquels.livejournal.com]

Ehhh, no YB. Celebs everywhere go through public scrutiny over their personal lives. Western celebs still get paparazzi pics smeared all over trash mags, speculating if they're having affairs, dating someone new, maybe pregnant, et al. So, no it ain't just SK. It's only SK that turns dating someone into a scandal~ for idols...or has "no dating" in contracts (that I'm aware of...but I wouldn't be surprised if this goes on elsewhere).

And part of the appeal of stars/celebs is the voyeuristic way we as fans are able to take part in their lives; so no sweety, it ain't weird. FANS are always going to be interested in their faves off stage/off screen...not talking about crazy ass stalker either. Those are not fans.

There are also plenty of celebs here who choose not to talk about their private lives - and they too get a lil shit for it from the entitled stans who feel they own every part of the celeb.

Fan culture is very odd (globally). As is the fan+idol relationship (in SK).

Like another commenter said though...it's been YEARS now, so it's odd they won't just come out with it. Though the amount of hate Kiko gets on social media whenever a new pic surfaces, or even speculations of couples clothes, that may be why "mums" still the word.

[mollyana.livejournal.com]

I also dislike the idol fans culture obsession with condemning dating, everybody should have a right to have a personal life, celeb or not. But korea isn't the only country nosy like this Taeyang. And imo the major reason gd haven't admitted the jiko thing is because him/yg are scared about the sev7n situation happening to cash cow gd, and more when Jiko seem so unstable as couple, like since 2009 they seem to had gone on and off.