Fans can be very loyal to their chosen artists. They’ll shower them with adoration, support, and anything to make their favourite celeb feel better. However, they can be very vicious when they discover they’ve been lied to.
South Korean singer-songwriter Lee Ji-eun (아이유) better known as IU revealed last December that she had a new beau. That’s right, she is now dating actor and model Lee Jong-suk (이종석)! Unfortunately, netizens weren’t happy to realise she might have lied to them during Christmas about her single status.
IU and Jong-suk shared the good news with their fans on 31st December. Prior to the reveal, it had been noted that IU and Jong-suk had visited Japan together for a holiday. While she initially received many blessings over her new relationship, things soon turned sour when fans realised there was something wrong with her relationship timeline.
On 30th December last year, IU uploaded a Vlog (video log) for Christmas titled “Christmas Vlog Despair Version”. The artist added that she had done the Vlog as fans had requested one showing what she did at home alone. It showed IU building a Lego Christmas tree with her brother’s help while answering questions from fans.
But fans soon realised that she couldn’t have filmed it during Christmas as she was already with Jong-suk in Japan by then. Needless to say, some felt very cheated. A few accused her of “pretending to be lonely and (single) in front of fans”. Others claimed she had “deceived them”.
The realisation has caused fans to be divided. While some still feel IU should repent for her actions, others disagree. Several pointed out that celebrities should not need to disclose details of their personal life to fans. Some also opined that IU did not deliberately lie to fans about her relationship status.
IU herself has not addressed the matter. But, it seems clear she simply wanted to be able to enjoy dating Jong-suk in peace. Perhaps she’s quietly hoping fans will respect that.
