The world of K-pop is often abuzz with rumors, and the latest artist to find himself at the center of such speculations is SEVENTEEN‘s Joshua. Recent whispers suggested a romance between the “SUPER” singer and Instagram model Mi Young. However, CARATs, SEVENTEEN‘s dedicated fans, took it upon themselves to investigate and debunk these rumors.

The rumors were fueled by netizens who noticed similarities in Joshua and Mi Young‘s Instagram activities. They highlighted pictures both posted showcasing the same things, suggesting they were “couple items.” These items ranged from accessories to bags, jackets to phone cases. The volume of these shared items led many to believe in a possible relationship.

A deep dive into the claims

Diving deeper into the claims, fans found that the denim CK jacket both Joshua and Mi Young wore in their photos were promotional. Joshua expressed gratitude to CK for his jacket, while Mi Young’s was bought by the photographer who took her photo. Moreover, the times of their posts didn’t line up or match. They were notably different.

Another point of contention was their photos from Seoul Forest Park. While Mi Young was spotted at a pub near Han River on the night of July 6th, Joshua‘s photo from the park was posted at 3:00 PM on the same day, suggesting they weren’t together at the time.

Further examination revealed that the white abrasion marks on their airport clothes, which some believed to be signs of shared clothing, were part of the items’ official tie-dye design. Additionally, while some netizens thought they had taken couple photos on Jeju Island, again, the timelines didn’t match. Mi Young went to Jeju Island in February 2021, while Joshua made his trip in March 2022. 

The brown jacket saga was another exciting twist. On December 2, Joshua was in Nagoya, while Mi Young was in Tokyo on December 1 and 3, indicating they were in different places wearing different jackets.

Their phone cases became another topic of debate. Joshua had been seen using his bunny case in 2021, while Mi Young used hers in March 2022. As for the beaded accessories, Joshua‘s necklace turned out to be a branded item, not a handmade couple’s necklace. Mi Young wore something like it only twice in September 2020.

Joshua deserves privacy and respect

One of the more intriguing revelations was that a group had been planning these rumors for months. They began on Chinese websites and later transitioned to Twitter, attempting to gain traction for their fabricated stories. Despite the swirling rumors, fans have rallied behind Joshua, emphasizing that he, like anyone else, deserves love and privacy. The overarching sentiment is clear: even if he were dating, it’s his personal life, and fans should respect that boundary. 

In the midst of all this, Joshua‘s contributions to SEVENTEEN and the K-pop industry in general shine through. Known for his incredible vocals, striking visuals, and politeness, he has been a beacon of talent and dedication since SEVENTEEN‘s debut in 2015.

While the K-pop world is no stranger to rumors, it’s nice to see fans rally in defense and support of their idols. The dedication of CARATs in debunking these speculations underscores the deep bond between them and all 13 members of SEVENTEEN. As always, it’s key to approach such rumors with skepticism and prioritize the well-being and privacy of the artists involved. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Joshua has, by turns, been bashed and defended since the rumors began. Source: Twitter/@pledis_17jp.