Heechul, a member of the renowned K-Pop group Super Junior, recently confronted rumors regarding his dating life during an appearance on MBC’s show Radio Star. The idol addressed speculation about his relationships with fellow artists, particularly focusing on his friendship with Mithra Jin of Epik High.
During the episode, Heechul discussed how his personality parallels that of fellow idols Jang Geun Suk and Lee Hongki, which he believes contributed to the emergence of various gay dating rumors. “That’s why there were so many gay rumors about Geun Suk and me. Then rumors about me dating Mithra Jin surfaced, becoming this huge ordeal,” Heechul explained.
Heechul elaborated on the bond he shared with Mithra Jin, recalling their early friendship as significant. “He was the first friend I became close with early in our debut. Mithra was much taller than I was and had a macho personality,” he noted. The closeness of their relationship led to misunderstandings, including instances where their friendship was so intense that it was kept hidden from the other members of Epik High.
Heechul humorously recalled an incident where Tablo, the leader of Epik High, caught wind of their secret friendship, expressing his surprise. “One day, Tablo caught me, and he thought it was really weird,” Heechul said, underlining how their relationship was not just a passing friendship but something deeper at the time.
The host of the show, Kim Gura, added levity to the discussion by joking, “Why did Mithra Jin hide it? He must have liked you back then. He probably doesn’t now, though.” Heechul responded by sharing that Mithra Jin’s contrasting personality drew him in. “He was the complete opposite of me, and when we met, he listened to my stories with great care,” Heechul shared.
As the conversation shifted to his early career, Heechul reflected on being labeled a “pretty boy” during his debut. “It’s a bit embarrassing, but when I first debuted, Lee Jun Ki was a huge star, and coincidentally, we both rose to fame as pretty men,” he said. He noted that prior to their emergence, the K-Pop scene heavily emphasized muscular figures, as exemplified by stars like Rain and Kwon Sang Woo.
Heechul’s candid remarks on relationships and his experiences in the entertainment industry reflect the evolving perceptions of masculinity and friendships within K-Pop culture. As fans continue to engage with their favorite idols, discussions about personal lives remain a topic of great interest, often leading to speculation and rumors.
Overall, Heechul’s appearance on Radio Star serves as a reminder of the unique challenges faced by K-Pop idols in navigating their public personas while attempting to maintain personal relationships. Through his honest recounting of past friendships and experiences, Heechul connects with fans, humanizing the often-glamorous world of K-Pop.
