When it comes to melting our hearts, BTS members are smooth like Butter (no pun intended). BTS, being the K-pop mega group, always garners attention with every move. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that there’s quite some (read bizarre) interest surrounding the members’ love affairs. And while the septet manages to keep their private affairs quite low-key, crazy fans and hounding media always manage to get some scoop on it. Here’s everything to know about the dating history and relationships of BTS members, from V and Jennie’s rumoured romance to RM and Karina’s reported affair.
BTS ARMY and millions of BTS stans worldwide worship these K-pop idols, and naturally, divulging any information about their private lives can lead to outrage and backlash, in addition to the strict dating clauses laid down by agencies. Addressing the same fanfare dilemma, Suga mentioned in Rolling Stone’s June 2021 cover story, “The ARMY is a diverse group.” He continued,” In this hypothetical situation, some may accept it, some may not. Whether it’s dating or something else, they’re all individuals, and they will understand things differently.”
While it’s difficult to know whether the BTS members are really single or in relationships, gossip mills have churned quite some rumours and buzz across the years about their dating lives. So, is your favourite Hallyu star single or taken? Keep reading to find out.
Roundup of the dating history and relationships of BTS members
V of BTS
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BTS’ V and Jennie of BLACKPINK
If you don’t know about BTS’ V and BLACKPINK Jennie’s dating rumours, you’re definitely living under a rock. The BTS star’s most headline-grabbing romance rumour began sometime in 2022 based on a picture that appeared to show him driving in a car with someone who looked like Jennie on Jeju island.
While a chunk of fans were convinced the photo was real, others doubted its authenticity as manipulating images isn’t uncommon while propagating celebrity gossip. However, the rumours were neither confirmed nor denied. This was only the beginning of multiple photo leaks surrounding the two, which led Jennie‘s label, YG, to threaten legal action against people spreading malicious information and breaching her personal data. Cut to May 2023, fans were convinced about their relationship after video footage of the pair holding hands while on a romantic stroll in Paris surfaced on the internet. The stars’ agencies, YG and HYBE, refused to clear the air and diffuse the chatter.
However, the couple hasn’t been spotted together in recent months. Breakup reports also emerged following V’s military enlistment. But again, there wasn’t any confirmation.
BTS’ V and Paradise Group chairman’s daughter
Before Jennie, V wound up in dating rumours with the daughter of the president of Paradise Group in 2021. The gossip began after V was spotted with the business magnate’s offspring at an exhibition. Shutting down the rumours quickly, HYBE issued a statement clarifying that V is simply an acquaintance of the family.
BTS’ RM
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RM of BTS and Karina of AESPA
Even the BTS leader isn’t safe from dating rumours. While Kim Namjoon never had a public relationship and (probably) never will, the rapper sparked link-up rumours with fellow idol and girl group AESPA’s rapper Karina in November 2023. Since this seemingly fabricated connection was based on one person’s observation, it was dismissed by most fans. A few months down the line around March 2024, Karina was confirmed to be dating Lee Jae-wook. However, they later called it off.
RM, being the lyrical genius that he is, has reportedly written verses inspired by his love life. Some of his works like Right Place, Wrong Person, the outro of BTS’ Album Love Yourself and more are packed with emotional lyrics that fans think RM wrote for his lover. But we’ll never know who are those dedications for.
Jimin of BTS
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BTS’ Jimin and Seulgi of Red Velvet
While Jimin has been linked to multiple women in the past, there has hardly been any concrete evidence of a potential relationship. In 2017, fans were convinced that Jimin and Red Velvet’s Seulgi were an item. Fans based their relationship theory on the duo’s interactions, with some pointing out that they sported outfits that matched. Further, their appearance together at the 2017 Seoul Music Awards only added fuel to the fire. However, there was no confirmation and things died down eventually.
Jimin of BTS and Song Da-eun
Okay, now this dating rumour isn’t as frivolous. Jimin and Song Da-eun first sparked attention in 2022 via a now-deleted viral post showing the two at the same locations, wearing the same accessories, and recommending the same movies.
The rumours have been going strong since, with fans closely keeping tabs on their similar social media activities. And now, in 2024, The Can’t Live Without Losing star put up a story which not only seemed to confirm fans’ beliefs but also attracted huge backlash. She took to social media and shared a picture of two earbuds. While one of the earbuds had ‘Jimin’ written on it, another one featured ‘Da Eun’. Do you think something’s brewing between the two?
BTS’ Jin
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Jin of BTS and Lee Gook-joo
The oldest BTS member who recently completed his mandatory military service seems to have a clean record. One of the rare dating rumours surrounding him dates back to 2014 when he gave a shoutout to South Korean comic Lee Gook-joo in the first three BTS albums.
As the chatter continued, Gook-joo appeared on MBC’s Radio Star to put the rumours to rest. While she revealed dating someone who was a trainee in the past, it wasn’t Jin after all and the two were only friends. According to Soompi, she spoke about Jin, mentioning, “BTS’ Jin. We are very close. He thanked me in the ‘Thanks To’ section in his first three albums and fans put two and two together.”
Apart from this, Jin’s dating slate (at least publically) is squeaky clean.
Jungkook of BTS
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BTS’ maknae and main vocalist Jungkook is no stranger to dating rumours, being linked to multiple K-pop stars like Yein from Lovelyz, Chaeyeon from DIA, and Ko So-hyun, a trainee from Cube, and most notably, Lisa from BLACKPINK. However, these are mostly fan-fabricated rumours with no factual proof. Let’s take you through the ones that actually went beyond hearsay.
BTS’ Jungkook and Lee Mi-joo
We all know Jungkook is obsessed with tattoos. But did you know that he once linked with a tattoo artist, Lee Mi-joo, who worked at a parlour Jungkook frequented? Back in 2019, as the dating rumours spread online, Big Hit Entertainment released a statement mentioning the two were merely friends. “During his visit to Geojedo, he realized his circle of tattooist acquaintances was also visiting there, so he hung out with them,” the clarification read according to Allkpop. Lee Mi-joo also put the gossip to rest after receiving online hate.
BTS’ Jungkook and a mystery girl
In September 2023, footage apparently showing Jungkook with a woman in his apartment made its way to the Chinese social media website Weibo, following which it blew up on X. While the blurry video gave no confirmation whether the person was actually Jungkook, netizens jumped the gossip bandwagon and concluded that he has a girlfriend.
The singer finally broke the silence on a broadcast on Stationhead. “I don’t have a girlfriend. I don’t have any girlfriend,” he said and urged fans to stop talking about it.
J-hope of BTS
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BTS’ J-hope and Irene Kim
Back in 2022, J-hope was muddled in romance rumours with model Irene Kim. And for good reason as there were key pieces of evidence hinting at their relationship. Fans pointed out how BTS’ J-Hope and Irene Kim wearing identical golden rings and posing. Adding to it were their similar mobile cases and the K-pop idol wearing an Ireneisgood sweatshirt.
Adding to the mounting evidence was their appearance together at Lollapalooza. The two didn’t shy away from sharing pictures with each other. However, the rumours died quickly.
Suga of BTS
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Suga and Suran
Rounding up the dating history and relationships of BTS members is Suga‘s alleged affair with K-pop idol Suran. The duo has worked together on several projects, however, one collaboration which sparked romance rumours is their song Wine. However, BIGHIT MUSIC stepped in to clarify that they’re just two professionals who created music together.
So, that’s all for the dating history and relationships of BTS members.
(Hero and feature image credit: BTS/ Facebook)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While BTS' V once confessed that he has had a bunch of girlfriends, he hasn't made any relationship official. The star was previously linked to BLACKPINK's Jennie and Paradise Group chairman’s daughter.
No, BTS' Jungkook and Lisa of BLACKPINK are not married.
It's difficult to ascertain whether BTS members are single or taken as none of them have made their relationships official.
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Written by
Kriti Nayyar
Senior Digital Writer, Wellness, Culture, Astrology, Tech
Kriti is a stay-at-home dog mama, whose knack for telling interesting stories keeps her erstwhile monotonous life sane. A literature & journalism degree holder, you'll find her binging on Agatha Christie novels while critiquing the everyday state of affairs. On Kriti's seldom social outings, she's seen devouring coffee sangria with appetizing bread on the side.
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