‘Emotional, irrational’: Jisoo fans’ response to Blackpink singer dating Ahn Bo-hyun, an older K-drama actor, a facet of social media age, professor says

‘How can Jisoo be happy with someone like Ahn?’ was one of the more measured social media reactions to the Blackpink singer and actor Ahn Bo-hyun’s relationship

Celebrity couples often face scrutiny online from critical fans, whose interaction with their idols and fellow fans heightens their emotions, an academic says

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Jisoo of South Korean girl group Blackpink and actor Ahn Bo-Hyun are dating, and fans of the singer are divided over the relationship. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 7:45pm, 9 Aug 2023

It has been barely a week since Blackpink’s Jisoo and K-drama actor Ahn Bo-hyun broke the internet by officially confirming their relationship, but the pair are already coming under intense scrutiny – from the mass media, and also fans.

While most fans of the pair have expressed their excitement and support for the couple’s journey, others have been less than friendly.

“I wonder if Jisoo chose Ahn Bo-hyun because she has never had a boyfriend before,” one user posted on Korean online platform Nate, questioning the K-pop star’s choice.

“I don’t understand how people say, ‘if Jisoo is happy, all is good,’” @nvc789 said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “How can Jisoo be happy with someone like Ahn? She can be happy with men like [singers and actors] Cha Eun-woo and Seo Kang-joon.”

Celebrities are … selling their entire image – not just their talent. And relationships are a very important component of that.

Charles Cheung Chi-wai, associate professor, Hong Kong Baptist University

“Jisoo downgraded her life by settling for this misogynistic old hag,” @CoolKidisback96 posted on X.