HYBE Acknowledges Jimin's Previous Relationship in Privacy Matter

On August 31, 2025, BigHit Music from HYBE showed fortitude when issuing their statement about a past romantic relationship of a BTS member. This marks a completely new precedent within the industry. They disclosed that Jimin dated actress Song Da-eun in the past and have since separated. The music label is officially commenting on “BTS romance rumors” for the first time, which has led to a media frenzy and a flurry of reactions from fans worldwide.

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On August 27, Song posted a TikTok video that prompted the statement. The video shows Song’s Jimin ‘surprise’ outside the elevator in his Seoul residence. The video drew the most concern from the ARMY community, who believed that Song recorded the video for fame.

Timeline of Events and Agency Response

The first dating rumors linking Jimin to Song Da-eun were in 2022, when fans noticed shared activity and locations, notably on social media. Song became famous from the reality show Heart Signal 2, although she had previously denied them on her livestreams while simultaneously enduring harassment. 

The video caused further speculation, prompting BigHit to respond. They claimed the relationship likely ended around Jimin’s military enlistment in December 2023, emphasizing that the "groundless rumours" should come to an end.

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Song- Dauen posted on X (Twitter) of her video welcoming BTS Jimin back home- (source: Economic Times)

Was it an Invasion of Privacy? ARMY’s React with ANGER

ARMYs reacted with anger to the video, calling it an invasion of privacy and questioning Song's intentions. Social media reactions seemed to suggest this was a case of consent, with one fan saying, This is absolutely sick and not normal.  Others defended Song, arguing that Song could be tired of hiding a real relationship, although most backlash was on her for sharing private video sparks footage without Jimin's consent. 

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BigHit's statement requesting restraint in relation to "not harming the individual mentioned, only upset fans more who felt it prioritized Song's well-being over Jimin's.

Song Da-eun’s Scrutiny Timeline 

Song has publicly acknowledged the scrutiny surrounding Jimin through various discourses, including an emotional denial of pursuing him during a 2023 livestream. "I never initiated anything," she asserted, noting that she had taken legal action against defamatory commenters concerning the Burning Sun controversy. 

What she said shifted the focus back to the original tape. The Korean media revived their investigation, which reignited the cycle of online harassment for the girl, presenting the ugly side of having a celebrity in South Korea.

Implications for the Industry

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The BigHit's Music announcement represents a shift among K-pop agencies. Jimin is preparing for his eventual military service discharge and the BTS return in 2026. This event continues the conversations surrounding adolescents’ privacy, fan grace entitlement, and the protection obligations of agencies. 

In the absence of comments from Jimin or Song, fandoms and ARMY can only be assumed. It is a norm that K-pop agencies keep a safe distance from matters concerning their artists’ personal lives.

Moving Forward: Prioritizing Idol Privacy and Empathy 

A discussion about the privacy concern and the transparency of agency dealings with K-pop idols has been sparked by HYBE’s confirmatory statement regarding Jimin’sprevious relationship with Song Da-eun. Even though the relationship is no longer a concern, ARMY continues to look for greater protection for the K-pop idols. As BTS prepares for its comeback in 2026, the community will continue to support Jimin while keeping this privacy measure in mind. 

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Ultimately, the gesture creates a useful reminder that the true person exists behind the figure and that they deserve privacy and the empathy that we so desperately wanted for Song Da-eu.