Tzuyu's mother denies dating rumors by calling man an old friend

Hwang Yeon-ryeong addressed dating rumors surrounding TWICE member Tzuyu on social media on the 27th, clarifying that the man in circulating photos is a long-time friend. This follows previous romantic speculation involving Taiwanese actor Greg Hsu in April.

As TWICE member Tzuyu finds herself embroiled in dating rumors once again, her mother has stepped forward to address the situation. Following speculations regarding her relationship with a male acquaintance based on photos circulating online, her mother requested that people refrain from excessive interpretation, stating that the two are long-time friends. Calls have also emerged to respect the privacy of Tzuyu and those around her, as private meetings are being misconstrued as romantic involvement.

According to Taiwanese media outlets TVBS, NOWnews, and Sanli News on the 27th, Tzuyu's mother, Hwang Yeon-ryeong, expressed her position regarding the dating rumors surrounding her daughter via her social media. Speculation that the two were in a romantic relationship arose after photos of Tzuyu with a man spread online. With no verified information regarding their relationship, her mother stepped in to provide an explanation as interpretations of the photos spread rapidly.

Hwang Yeon-ryeong stated that she has also known the man for a long time. "The two have always been good friends," she explained, adding, "He is a sincere and truthful person who has always provided unwavering support and help to Tzuyu." By introducing the man as someone known for a long time rather than a recent acquaintance, she drew a line against views concluding their relationship is romantic.

She further emphasized that it is natural for friends to eat, go out, and talk together. Hwang urged that people should not assign excessive meaning to a few photos or partial information, nor should they speculate without basis. This is interpreted as a request to be wary of unverified stories expanding, rather than judging the relationship of the parties involved based on limited scenes circulating online.

Above all, her mother made it clear that the privacy of her daughter and her acquaintances should be respected. She expressed hope that unverified speculations would not cause hurt to the individuals involved. While the daily lives of celebrities are easily subject to public interest, being captured together does not necessarily mean they are in a romantic relationship. This clarification, provided directly by the family, also reflects the burden of having to individually disclose or prove private friendships in response to speculation surrounding Tzuyu and the man.

This is not the first time Tzuyu has been caught in dating rumors. In April, rumors surfaced regarding a relationship with Taiwanese actor Greg Hsu. At that time, Greg Hsu drew a line against the romantic speculation by explaining that they were "just on greeting terms." This time, the dating rumors have become a topic of conversation again as Tzuyu's mother directly explained the relationship with the male acquaintance.

Tzuyu debuted as a member of TWICE in 2015 and has gained widespread popularity both domestically and internationally. Having built a global fandom through group activities, she expanded her reach as a solo artist by releasing her first solo mini album, 'abouTZU', in September 2024. As she continues to engage with the public through both group and solo activities, her private life outside of music also remains a subject of interest.

Attention is also focused on the future directions of TWICE members. Following news regarding changes in the status of Jeongyeon, CHAEYOUNG, and Jihyo related to JYP Entertainment, interest continues regarding the activity directions of other members, including Tzuyu. The continuity of group activities and contract issues with the agency will need to be monitored based on specific announcements.

On the 17th, TWICE met with fans at the fan party 'ONCE UPON A THRI11' celebrating their 11th debut anniversary. While they celebrated their long-standing bond with fans on stage, speculation regarding Tzuyu's private life continues off-stage. With her mother explaining they are "old friends," attention is focused on whether the unverified dating rumors will cease to expand and whether the privacy of the individuals involved can be respected.

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