Blackpink’s management updates statement to refute Rose’s dating rumours

SEOUL – Blackpink’s management agency YG Entertainment has updated its statement to refute rumours that the K-pop girl group’s member Rose, 26, is dating South Korean actor Gang Dong-won, 42.

In its original statement released on Monday, it said: “It is difficult to confirm (the rumours) because it is a private issue pertaining to our artistes.”

It subsequently released another statement the same day to counter what it termed “indiscriminate speculation”, writing: “We would like to reveal that the reports of the dating rumours released today are not true. We would be grateful if everyone could help prevent the spread of false information.”

The two were seen in a group photo from a party, posted last week by former Burberry chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci on Instagram.

It was subsequently taken down, but had gone viral by then, not just because of Rose and Gang, but also because of what appeared to be drug paraphernalia on the table.

YG Entertainment swiftly refuted the drug rumours last week.

Gang, last seen in award-winning movie Broker (2022), left YG Entertainment in December 2022 after seven years, while Blackpink – comprising Rose, Jennie, Lisa and Jisoo – have been with the agency since their debut in 2016.

Since the dating rumours surfaced, netizens have dug up old photos of the pair wearing similar jackets and necklaces.

They also pointed out that she had attended the movie premiere for Broker in Seoul last June and they were both at art fair Frieze Seoul in September.

At Coachella last Saturday – Blackpink were the first Asian and all-female band to

headline the music festival

– Rose said: “You made us remember the passion for performing for you guys. It’s a dream come true to be a headliner.”

The quartet had made their Coachella debut in 2019 in a smaller tent.