Following the shockingly unexpected news of SHINee’s Jonghyun and actress Shin Se Kyung dating
only a couple of days ago, it seems like everyone has turned on their
celebrity relationship radars. More people are becoming vigilant of
celebrity relationships while spreading speculations on which
celebrities are dating who.
But no matter how interesting celebrity relationships may be for the
fans and general public alike, it only becomes more of a burden for the
celebrities involved, since they too are ordinary humans at the end of
the day – humans who would prefer to keep their personal lives separate
from their careers.
These days, it’s no hidden fact that fans are becoming more
possessive over their favorite idol group members, making it all the
more difficult for them to proudly confirm their relationship statuses.
So what do they do? They are forced to date during the dead hours of
the night, make use of taxis to avoid the eyes of their fans, use their
significant other’s car, or if that doesn’t work, use their colleague or
friend’s vehicle instead.
SportsSeoul.com recently analyzed the idols’ ‘007-James Bond’ dating techniques in closer detail.
<Rule 1. Meet during the dead hours of the night>
The best time for idols to comfortably go on dates is during the dead
hours of the night. Less people are out on the streets at midnight, and
if there are, the couple will be less noticeable due to the darkness.
Not only are they able to avoid the general public’s attention, it also
fits well into their tight schedules. For an average idol, they usually
have 3-4 full schedules to digest on a daily basis before calling it a
night in the late hours.
This has become a common dating pattern for numerous celebrities, not
just idols. There have already been countless accounts made by general
observers of celebrity couples comfortably roaming the streets and
enjoying their date. For idols, it’s an ideal pattern, especially since
they are more likely to avoid catching the eyes of their passionate
fans.
<Rule 2. Make use of taxis>
Anyone can use taxis, and it’s difficult to notice whether it’s
actually a celebrity idol going in and out of a taxi, let alone
determine who’s inside one. Even fans who wait outside their idol’s
company building everyday find it hard to fully distinguish whether they
had mistaken someone else for their idol; they’re more used to seeing
them stepping out of important black vans with completely tinted
windows. Additionally, since the majority of idols are still in their
teens-early 20s, it’s unlikely that they have car for personal use.
One entertainment industry associate explained, “Just one phone
call with a taxi driver, and he can drop them off right outside their
homes. It is the best method to move around while under the constant
scrutiny of their fans. It’s the same for when they’re dating. Since
they can reach their destination with ease, some idol stars have no
choice but to use taxis when going on dates.”
<Rule 3. Use your significant other’s car>
Idols using their significant other’s car instead is also another
method for secret dating. Most idol stars wouldn’t own their own cars
yet, let alone hold a driver’s license. Even if they do, their personal
cars will be completely exposed to their fans. If the idol’s significant
other is not an idol themselves, using their car instead will be less
noticeable to fans, making it more comfortable to go on dates.
This was the situation for Big Bang’s T.O.P two years ago, when he allegedly dated actress Shin Min Ah back in mid-2008. She would pick him up from YG’s
company building using her own car before driving off for their date.
Since they used the company’s basement parking lot, a place where fans
are prohibited, they were able to escape his hawk-eyed fans easily.
<Rule 4. Get your colleagues to help>
The last alternative method is to use a friend or colleague’s car.
The idol stars’ vans’ number plates are always 100% exposed to the eyes
of their fans, which is why it can be too risky to drive with when going
on dates. This is why some idols prefer to use a car with a number
plate unknown to their fans, in order to effortlessly reach to their
dating venue. By using this method, not only can they drive around
freely, but the couple can also stay safely in the car, without the need
to feel exposed.
This dating method was directly revealed by singer and variety star, Kim Jong Kook.
He once confessed on a TV variety show that he drove his own car while a
celebrity idol couple sat at the back, parked it somewhere safely
isolated, and went out to give the couple their privacy and enjoy their
‘car date’.
Source + Pictures: SportsSeoul
