ATEEZ SAN, Regarding Milan Dating Rumors: "I Guess That's What Happens When You're Successful"

Group ATEEZ member SAN directly addressed the dating rumors that arose in Milan, showing an unexpected 'cool response.' While it is true that he stepped forward to clarify, rather than leading with unfairness or embarrassment, he turned the situation into laughter with a relaxed remark: "I guess that's what happens when you're successful." Rather than the short-lived dating rumors themselves, the atmosphere is such that SAN's attitude in accepting them is garnering even greater interest.

In a preview for the web variety show 'Salon Drip 2' released on the YouTube channel 'TEO' on the 6th, stories surrounding SAN's Milan dating rumors appeared. SAN opened the conversation by saying, "I just returned from Milan today," and Jang Do-yeon naturally brought up the controversy, mentioning that articles had recently appeared stating that SAN had personally clarified the dating rumors.

Dating rumors remain a sensitive subject for idols. In particular, photos or videos captured by chance during overseas schedules can spread rapidly through domestic online communities and SNS within a short time, regardless of the local situation. There are many cases where content speculating about a relationship is created from just a few seconds of video where the context is cut off, such as scenes of walking together or conversing.

SAN also went through a similar process. Previously, on the 26th of last month, dating rumors were raised as photos and videos of him walking along a street in Milan, Italy, spread online. As the fact that the scene was captured abroad coincided with the appearance of the other person as a non-celebrity, the simple accompaniment spread into speculation of a romantic relationship.

However, upon verification, the woman in question was known to be an official from a local brand, and as SAN's side immediately explained the relevant facts, the dating rumors were settled as a happening. In the end, it was a misunderstanding that occurred during an overseas schedule rather than there being any special private relationship.

However, the method of clarification chosen by SAN was much lighter than expected. He did not get greatly flustered by the question about the dating rumors and replied, "I guess that's what happens when you're successful." While directly denying the sensitive subject of dating rumors, he countered in a way that did not attach excessive meaning to it. It was an attitude of turning it into a subject for laughter himself rather than fueling the controversy.

The revelation from member WOOYOUNG, who was beside him, added to the laughter. WOOYOUNG made the scene a sea of laughter by saying that when SAN goes out now, he acts like, "Don't you know me?" The explanation is that rather than being conscious of the eyes around him because of the dating rumors, he has found enjoyment in directly confirming his own popularity.

This happening is also an example showing that the way dating rumors surrounding idols are created and the way stars deal with them are changing compared to the past. While in the past, dating rumors themselves acted as a significant burden on an image, recently, a method of clearly explaining the facts and then passing over excessive interpretations with laughter is establishing itself as one response strategy.

SAN also did not drag this matter out heavily. He chose an attitude of clearly stating the facts while not attaching excessive meaning to the word "dating rumors" itself. Ultimately, the most unexpected scene of this Milan dating rumor was not the truth of the romance, but SAN's reaction to encountering the dating rumors. The single phrase, "I guess that's what happens when you're successful," turned the happening into laughter.

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