A new controversy has emerged from the popular lesbian dating show TogetHer, centering around allegations of inappropriate proposals between contestants — and unexpectedly drawing in Choi Si Hoon, the husband of K-pop singer Ailee.
The issue began when contestant Hangyul publicly accused her fellow contestant Riwon of suggesting she meet a sponsor — a serious and often reputation-damaging claim in the Korean entertainment industry.
Riwon responded by releasing screenshots of their conversation in an effort to defend herself, stating her intention was misunderstood and that she was merely introducing Hangyul to a professional contact.
However, internet sleuths went a step further. By adjusting the brightness on the censored screenshots, some netizens claimed the name of the alleged sponsor contact was Choi Si Hoon — a well-known influencer who previously appeared on Netflix’s Single’s Inferno, and more recently made headlines as Ailee’s husband.
The implication was that Riwon may have used his name to offer Hangyul industry connections under the guise of professional advancement, potentially misleading her with the suggestion of influential backing.
As the rumors spiraled, OSEN, a South Korean media outlet, reported that insiders confirmed Choi was involved in influencer marketing for Billboard Korea, lending partial weight to the story. Still, the extent of his involvement and any wrongdoing remained unclear.
To address the controversy, Riwon issued a public statement via social media. She denied the swirling rumors, clarifying that while Choi had occasionally offered her advice, he was neither her agency’s CEO nor her representative.
She emphasized that she worked with a completely separate agency and, to prevent further misunderstandings, had decided to cut ties with any individuals or organizations involved in the situation.
“To avoid any further misunderstandings, I have decided to end my involvement with anything that may harm the company or that individual.” — Riwon
She also urged netizens to refrain from making baseless accusations, emphasizing the damage such speculation causes to innocent parties and professional relationships.
As of now, Ailee and Choi Si Hoon have not made public statements, but the controversy continues to spark debate about the ethics and pressures within the influencer and entertainment industries — especially where career advancement and personal relationships intersect.
