K-pop singer Taeyang, from the wildly successful boy group Big Bang, is in a relationship with actress Min Hyo-rin, both of their agencies confirmed Tuesday.
Taeyang is believed to have started dating Min, who is two years older than him, in 2013.
Taeyang, 27, is signed on to talent agency YG Entertainment, while Min is signed on to JYP Entertainment ― two of the most powerful record labels in K-pop.
“Their relationship is already a well-known fact among K-pop idol singers,” an unnamed friend of both stars told Yonhap News Agency on Tuesday.
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| Taeyang and Min Hyo-rin |
“They are in quite a serious relationship,” another singer close to Taeyang said, who declined to be named. “As far as I know, they’ve been together for the past two years. They suit each other in terms of their personality and appearance.”
Min, 29, appeared in Taeyang’s solo music video for “1AM” last June. The music video, which includes passionate kiss scenes and scenes in bed, is based on a storyline where both Taeyang and Min yearn for each other after a breakup.
Min, who has an innocent image, started her career as a TV commercial model in 2006. She transitioned to acting and appeared in the films “Sunny” (2011), “The Grand Heist” (2012), “A Millionnaire on the Run” (2012) and “Twenty” (2015).
Taeyang has publicly stated that while he has fallen in love one-sidedly, he is “born (to be) single.”
Suspicions over a relationship surfaced when the two were spotted in public wearing matching “couple” sneakers and pants.
However, when questioned about Taeyang’s relationship status, his agency YG had always refused to comment.
Min’s agency JYP, in contrast, has always been frank about its artists’ relationship status, which may explain why YG chose to follow suit with respect to Taeyang’s current relationship.
Taeyang’s group Big Bang is currently promoting the album “MADE,” which released its second installment EP “A” on Monday.
By Yoon Sarah (sarah356@heraldcorp.com)
