A reported 16-year age gap between Tan Jianci and his ex-girlfriend has triggered backlash and heated discussion online. On January 7, rookie actress and former SM Entertainment trainee Liu Yinuo confirmed that she had previously dated the singer, who is also known as JC-T and is a member of the Chinese idol group M.I.C.. She clarified that they are no longer together.
The confirmation came after Liu shared a social media post about a gift she had received, which led to speculation about her connection to Tan. As the post gained traction, Liu explained that her intention was simply to document a past memory and avoid being labeled negatively as “the girl who got exposed.” She apologized for the controversy, stating that she had not expected the situation to escalate.
Attention quickly shifted to the couple’s ages. Public records list Liu’s birth year as 2006, while Tan was born in 1990, which would make them 19 and 35 years old. However, Liu’s exact age has been a topic of confusion, as she has referenced different birth years on social media. She also previously stated that she was a 15-year-old trainee in 2020, suggesting a possible 2005 birth year.
Tan did not directly address the dating rumors. Instead, he posted photos of his two dogs along with a caption referencing his song “Proof,” writing, “PROOF: three single dogs,” which many interpreted as a subtle comment on his current single status. The controversy adds to ongoing scrutiny within the Chinese entertainment industry following recent celebrity exposés.
