Chae Yeon reveals dating history: "Most of my exes were much younger"

Singer Chae Yeon has candidly revealed her dating style, noting that a significant number of her past romantic partners were younger than her. While she did not disclose specific identities or exact age gaps, her mention of dating people "more than a full cycle" apart has reignited interest in the dating history of the star, who has been in the public eye for over 20 years.

On the 17th, Chae Yeon appeared on the YouTube channel Lee Eun Ji's segment "Do Kids These Days Know Chae Yeon Through The Glory?" and shared various stories with Lee. Their conversation began with Chae Yeon's recent activities and naturally transitioned into the topic of romance, prompting Lee to ask bold personal questions.

When Lee asked if she was currently dating anyone, Chae Yeon avoided a direct answer, saying, "I wonder if it would make much of a difference whether I am or not." She appeared to feel the pressure of public attention regarding her relationship status, adding, "Whether I am or not, at this age, it feels like people would ask who it is even if I am single."

Lee then pushed further, asking, "How many years younger have you dated?" Instead of providing a specific number, Chae Yeon surprised Lee by replying, "I've dated people more than a full cycle apart." In this context, "a full cycle" is understood to mean an age gap of 12 years or more (a zodiac cycle).

She was even more honest when asked if her approach differs when approaching younger versus older men. Chae Yeon revealed, "In terms of the ratio of people I've dated, younger men made up about 70 to 80%."

She explained, "In the case of older men, they were very easy to win over, but with younger men, they were actually the ones who approached me proactively."

In particular, her comment that "they came to me even if I didn't do anything special" was the most striking part of the conversation. Rather than actively pursuing younger men, she explained that they often showed interest and approached her first, which drew laughter due to her characteristically blunt and fearless way of speaking.

These romantic anecdotes are not sudden revelations. She has been relatively open about her dating experiences on broadcasts in the past. When appearing on SBS's "Some Guys, Some Girls" in 2015, she stated, "It's not that I haven't dated. I've dated as much as I could," and shared that her longest relationship lasted about 4 years, noting that her partner at the time was also younger than her.

Reflecting on that breakup, Chae Yeon mentioned there was a period when she prioritized work over other things. Given that her perspective on past relationships has changed over time, these remarks carry more meaning than just being a topical headline about dating younger men. However, she did not disclose the specific identities or exact ages of her past partners during this broadcast.

The fact that Chae Yeon is 48 years old this year is also why her comments are drawing attention. Having debuted in the music industry in 2003, she established herself as one of the representative female solo singers of the 2000s with a string of hits including "Na Na Na," "The Two of Us," "My Love," "Dangerous Direction," and "Shaken."

While Chae Yeon, who started as a rookie singer in her early 20s, is now a veteran in her late 40s, she is characterized by her ability to speak freely about private topics like romance and self-care. Rather than being frozen in her past star image, she naturally accepts her current age while creating content that allows her to communicate with the public.

In addition to romance, Chae Yeon's self-care methods were also revealed. She stated that she consistently practices Pilates and weight training, and in the past, she was also interested in bowling and soccer. She explained that she manages her lifestyle habits to maintain the physical condition necessary to stand on stage despite her long career.

She also opened up about her past experiences with alcohol. Chae Yeon revealed that she once loved drinking so much that she would drink 4 to 5 days a week, but after an experience where she went to a performance after drinking and staying up all night early in her career, she abstained from alcohol for about 7 to 8 years. She mentioned that she has recently been reducing her alcohol intake again to focus on physical management.

Ultimately, what catches the eye in these remarks is not just the figure of "70-80% younger men." For Chae Yeon, now in her 23rd year since debut, the significance lies in how she uses witty jokes and honest language to recount her past rather than over-embellishing or hiding it, naturally showing how her position has changed with time.

Chae Yeon, who once captivated fans in her 20s with sexy performances and intense music, now stands before the public as a veteran who can talk about her dating experiences, self-care, and even past choices with ease.