On January 18, rumors of former HIGHTLIGHT‘s Yong Jun Hyung (also known as Junhyung) and HyunA dating spread like wildfire following the pair sharing a photo holding hands and HyunA’s comments on her post.
The two second-generation idols have a long history, including debuting under the same label and collaborating on songs.
HyunA Yong Jun Hyung
However, the idol’s fans have heavily criticized her for her involvement with the singer due to his past.
In 2018, what was the start of the Burning Sun Scandal took place at Seungri’s Burning Sun club, eventually revealing interconnected crimes, including gambling, drug distribution, and sexual assault.
Jung Joon Young
Part of the scandal included chatrooms, where illegally taken sex videos were shared. This investigation eventually implicated Jung Joon Young, Choi Jonghoon, Lee Jonghyun, and Jun Hyung, with Joon Young and Jonghoon eventually being sentenced to jail for the videos and gang rape.
Jun Hyun initially denied being part of the chats but later admitted his involvement in the statement where he announced his departure from HIGHLIGHT.
Because of this, many HyunA fans have openly criticized the idol for her continued relationship with the male star, whether dating or just friendship.
I have stanned hyuna for YEARS ive seen what i thought were glimpses of her real self ive seen her be kind and selfless and support women and talk about exploitation in the industry. you simply do NOT know who idols really are no matter how genuine they seem.
— ♡ (@hyunapics__) January 18, 2024
I am disgusted. he is directly involved in the burning sun scandal, watched videos and talked about them. this man condones r*pe and s*xual assualt. do not support hyuna or this disgusting man. pic.twitter.com/E4isfnDGsD
— hyuna source (@hyunasource) January 18, 2024
Im done with this type of blind support. No matter the circumstance of that photo, she has an association with that man, there is no way around it. He was involved in a disgraceful thing and she is willing to even be around him. Unfollow me if you want https://t.co/VZjiYwWyOc
— United AINGS (formly) (@UnitedAings) January 18, 2024
K-Pop fans, in general, have also expressed their disappointment in HyunA, reflecting on her statements of female empowerment throughout her career.
hyuna wrote BABE, the song that was banned from show performances, due to its controversial implications of the sexualization she faced, while being so young. then she turns around and willingly dates one of THEE Burning Sun scandal perpetrators.. pic.twitter.com/QjMrvwEAwx
— dj 樂☆ FUCK KPOP FANS AND HYUNA (@jenoloft) January 18, 2024
hyuna built her entire career on women empowerment and sexual liberation just to end up getting involved with a whole fucking predator girl BYE this is the most contradictory shit i’ve ever seen
— (@shbhaos) January 18, 2024
No but hyuna is so slimy bc how do you go from being an inspiration for women in your country to date a man who caused so much damage to those same women? pic.twitter.com/dKu4wB4RlB
— alex• (◜◡◝) (@revelvelvets) January 18, 2024
You can read more about HyunA and Jun Hyung’s history here.
Labelmates To Lovers: The Complete HyunA And Yong Jun Hyung Timeline
