Can't a couple of attractive young celebrities catch a movie together without fans assuming they are dating? Apparently not.
When singer IU, star of "You're the Best Lee Soon Shin," and Lee Hyun Woo, star of the record-breaking film "Secretly, Greatly," were seen together at a movie theater, fans immediately assumed the two were a couple.
The rumors prompted a rebuttal from both the stars' management agencies. Loen Entertainment, which represents IU, clarified the situation by saying that the two did not see the movie alone.
"The managers were there too," said a Loen representative. "IU and Lee Hyun Woo are old friends so it's surprising that the two seeing a movie together is even an issue."
IU and Lee Hyun Woo were emcees together on the music show "Ingikayo" until IU left recently. And he had a cameo appearance in her "You and I" music video."
"The two just watched a movie together with their managers because they both had free time after IU finished filming "You're The Best Lee Soon Shin" on August 8," said the Loen representative.
Lee Hyun Woo's agency also weighed in on the situation.
"It's true that Lee Hyun Woo and IU went to see a movie together, but both had their managers and other staff members with them. Lee Hyun Woo knew the photos were being taken but he didn't stop them. They are friends of the same age so they occasionally meet up for a meal or to watch a movie."
The last dating rumor associated with IU took place when she posted a picture of her next to Super Junior's Eunhyuk. Fans assumed she was in her pajamas and they were in bed together. But in fact she was sick and they were sitting on the couch together with her mother at home. That rumor hurt her career and prompted her agency to warn fans about spreading false rumors.
Lee Hyun Woo has not been associated with too many dating rumors. When asked who his ideal type was, he has mentioned f(x)'s Sulli, but he does not have any specific criteria when it comes to a girlfriend.
"It would be great to have someone who can make me feel comfortable," he once said.
As in someone you can go to the movies and occasionally eat out with? Even if IU and Lee Hyun Woo are really only friends now, they would make a cute couple.
