Byun Hye-jin, a participant from ‘Dolsing Fourmen 3’, has revealed a “love-stagram” with Young-chul from ‘I Am Solo’ Season 16. On September 1, Byun Hye-jin posted photos and a video holding hands and walking with Young-chul. She commented, “Every day feels like a war between us,” adding, “I tried to tease him for making me change shoes, but got a counter from my boyfriend who never loses an argument. It’s not easy.”
Young-chul stated, “I’m unintentionally facing criticism due to baseless claims made by someone influential during Sang-cheol’s live broadcast. Hye-jin and I are nothing more than siblings, but it seems unfair that the current situation portrays us as lacking propriety.”
Previously, Sang-cheol had said, “I was genuinely in a relationship with Byun Hye-jin while in Korea, but we broke up amicably when I returned to the U.S. Everyone around us knew we were dating.” Sang-cheol also mentioned Byun Hye-jin and Young-chul’s joint photo shoot, questioning Young-chul’s intentions, “He asked my permission for the shoot, which seemed odd since it’s not my place to control it. Nevertheless, they seemed to have something going on.”
Continuing, Sang-cheol expressed discomfort with the idea that Young-chul and Byun Hye-jin might be waiting for the opportune moment to reveal their relationship to gain a favorable public image, leading him to unfollow them to avoid seeming foolish or getting caught in the middle.
Young-chul responded, “Sang-cheol liked to boast about his relationship with Byun Hye-jin. Through a dinner, I got to know Hye-jin and needed a female model for a photo shoot. I requested Sang-cheol’s permission since models were expensive, and Hye-jin was tall enough for the role.”
He further claimed, “Sang-cheol asked if I was involved with Hye-jin based on his assumptions. I clarified, but his speculation was problematic. It’s irresponsible for someone influential to speak casually on air without due diligence.”
Meanwhile, Byun Hye-jin remarked on Sang-cheol’s persistent questioning about her relationship with Young-chul, saying, “I told him it was merely a professional relationship. He continued pressing me, asking if Young-chul wasn’t my type or someone I’d like, changing wording repeatedly to elicit a specific response.”
In reference to this, Young-chul accused Sang-cheol of “gaslighting,” suggesting, “He doesn’t confront me directly. If he had spoken to me clearly, I would have given a clear answer.”