Leeteuk (이특), leader of K-pop boy group Super Junior, is once again facing dating rumors. Although he recently denied bringing a rumored girlfriend to a concert, a new video has gone viral, with some netizens questioning if he deliberately interacted with her and her friends during a performance, reigniting controversy.
Leeteuk was previously suspected of dating last year after being photographed with a woman 18 years his junior. They were reportedly seen on a date, sparking initial relationship rumors. He personally addressed and denied these claims during a live broadcast at the time.
However, a fan recently unearthed a concert video, suggesting Leeteuk might have brought his rumored girlfriend to the event. The accuser posted multiple photos as "evidence," stating that if an idol is dating, they should keep it private rather than bringing their partner to a workplace. The post read: "Do you think it's normal for a man born in 1983 to date a woman born in 2001? There's an 18-year age gap. If they're really dating, shouldn't they be more discreet? Bringing a girlfriend to work, I don't think an idol should do that, even if they're older."
During a live stream, a fan directly asked, "Why did you bring your girlfriend to the concert?" Leeteuk immediately denied it, responding, "I didn't. Don't say such strange things."
However, the issue did not subside. Another concert video from a different show later surfaced, again sparking heated discussion among netizens. In the video, Leeteuk is seen singing while walking down the aisle to interact with fans. He high-fives three audience members in succession but skips a person sitting next to them. According to netizens, the three people he high-fived are believed to be friends of his rumored girlfriend, while the person skipped was a regular fan.
After the incident came to light, the focus of the discussion shifted from whether Leeteuk is actually dating to the perceived unfairness of his actions, which angered many fans. One netizen commented, "It's truly heartbreaking. Fans pay for VIP seats hoping for a chance to interact with their idol, but he only high-fives his girlfriend and her friends. If he's really bringing his girlfriend, she shouldn't be seated in the VIP section."
Another netizen stated, "Who says idols can't date or get married? People are never angry about dating itself, but about bringing a girlfriend to a concert and showing such preferential treatment. At his age, he should know better what to avoid. Many people defending him don't even understand what everyone is truly upset about."
Someone else commented, "I don't care if he brings his girlfriend, but concert tickets are so expensive now, and fans pay a lot to attend. At least put her in a second-floor seat. Leeteuk, just get married already!"
The video's release has once again sparked a two-sided debate. Some netizens argue that there is no definitive evidence to prove the individuals in the video are Leeteuk's rumored girlfriend or her friends, and thus, it should not be over-interpreted. However, many fans believe that even setting aside the dating rumors, if an idol genuinely shows preferential treatment to specific individuals, it is likely to cause dissatisfaction among other ticket-purchasing fans.
