A day after she stated her approval of the relationship between fellow Girls Generation member Yoona and actor Lee Seung Gi, singer and actress Sooyoung found herself in a dating scandal of her own.
During the last year she has been involved in several dating scandals with actor Jung Kyung Ho, last seen in "Cruel City." But each time the couple denied it.
The actors both studied theater at Joongang University but the romance rumors only began when he was discharged from the army in Sept. 2012. When Sooyoung had a leading role in "Dating Agency: Cyrano" last year, Jung Kyung Ho gave her acting advice. He publicly stated that Girls Generation was his favorite group and the two had been seen watching a film together.
But they insisted they were merely friends.
In September, Jung Kyung Ho stated that he was dating but his girlfriend was not a celebrity. His agency Fantagio backed him up, saying that the actor had dated a girl for about a year and that the relationship was going strong.
In October, Woman Sense magazine said that Jung Kyung Ho's girlfriend was indeed a celebrity and that she was none other than Sooyoung. The magazine said that not only did they attend the same university but they also went to the same church. The magazine also said that the actor visited Sooyoung when she was in Japan for a concert.
Girls Generation(SNSD) Sooyoung's Boyfriend Actor Jung Kyoung Ho Photo Gallery [PHOTOS]
His agency denied the claim again, saying they were more like brother and sister.
But whether they were simply friends last year, or more, they have stopped denying that they now have a relationship.
A Korean news outlet has released pictures of them enjoying time together around Christmas. They attended a Christmas Eve party with Sooyoung's sister. Photos of the gifts and cake he bought for Sooyoung were shared on Sooyoung's sisters SNS account.
Even so, his agency would not immediately confirm the relationship.
"We are in the process of checking with him," said a Fantagio representative. "We will release an official statement soon, so please wait."
Her agency, SM Entertainment, was more forthcoming. While they did not say the couple had previously been dating, they did confirm the couple was dating now.
"While they were close last year, their relationship has progressed into that of a couple," said the SM representative.
Although she debuted as s singer, Sooyoung has several dramas to her credit. She was seen in "Unstoppable Marriage," "Oh My Lady," Paradise Ranch" and "The Third Hospital." She also made a cameo appearance in "Gentleman's Dignity."
Jung Kyung Ho has been seen in the dramas "Time Between Dog and Wolf," "Smile, You" and "Ja Myung Go," as well as several films. This year he had a role in the film "Fasten Your Seatbelt."
