Julie of the girl group KISS OF LIFE has found herself at the center of controversy after a CCTV video, allegedly filmed inside a bar, began circulating online.
The clip, reportedly dated May 7, shows a man and a woman sitting closely together and engaging in physical affection. The man is seen touching the woman’s hair as she lies on a sofa and later hugging her from behind as she gets up to leave. The video spread quickly on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, leading to speculation that the individuals involved were VERIVERY’s Kangmin and Julie.
On September 29, Julie’s agency, S2 Entertainment, told Xports News, "Since this concerns her personal life, the company has nothing to comment on." Meanwhile, Kangmin’s representatives strongly denied the claims, calling them "entirely untrue and a malicious falsehood that seriously damages the artist’s reputation."
Korean netizens voiced mixed reactions to the controversy. While some criticized the invasion of privacy and the spread of unverified rumors, others questioned the agency’s vague stance, suggesting that silence may only fuel speculation. Fans of both artists expressed frustration, urging the public to avoid making premature assumptions and calling for stronger protective measures from the agencies.
They commented:
"From the public’s point of view there’s nothing really wrong, yeah. This whole culture of viciously bashing people is weird lol. But think about who the idol's main consumers are, loll. KISS OF LIFE's hardcore fans are probably in a coma right now."
"Why did she pick the stage name 'Julie'?"
"If VERIVERY's Kangmin and Yeonho were dating KISS OF LIFE's Julie, and they're touching each other as if it's nothing, why haven't there been dating rumors until now? Ridiculous."
"KISS OF LIFE isn’t famous or well known, so whatever, but they met separately and were touching each other like it was nothing, they must be really close? But why don’t dating scandals come out since they’re idols or celebrities?
"Why do popular people get criticized?"
"No one is mentioning how it was a Chinese IP that hacked the CCTV, that's the creepiest part."
"I don’t really care because I always saw Julie as that American 'hot girl' older-sister style, so I don’t think it’s a big deal… This would only affect pure/innocent concept idols."
"That’s how images are… their choreography is full of twerking and moves emphasizing the body, so cigarettes or men—whatever. If you have no expectations, there’s no disappointment."
"They were drinking with acquaintances — why the hell does that matter????!!! Losers."
"1st-tier idols get both positive and negative attention in proportion to how much money they earn, so if you’re not 1st-tier, you earn less and get criticized less. Saying they should get the same level of bashing is nonsense."
"I’m worried male-idol fans will go after Julie. For a while, Hong Eun Chae was the biggest victim of male-idol fans’ rage."
"Haha if it were Jang Wonyoung or Karina, the communities would be going crazy. If they’re not dating, it’s weirder for them to be doing that kind of touching."
"If that had happened before, normal people would have blamed the person who leaked it and the entertainer would later quietly lose popularity — weird takes."
"Honestly, I don’t get why someone with good vocals would smoke… If they sing poorly and then are caught smoking, I lose interest. If you plan to be good, why ruin your throat with cigarettes? Makes me lose all respect."
SEE ALSO: KISS OF LIFE announces their Japan debut, with their first Japan mini album ‘TOKYO MISSION START’
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