Nana Reveal Sends T.O.P's Past Dating Views Back Viral

Following the confirmed romance, Kagit reports T.O.P's old Radio Star remarks on dating and ideal types are being rehashed by netizens.

The confirmed romance between T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun, 38) and Nana (Im Jin-ah, 35) continues to generate fallout. Both agencies acknowledged the relationship on October 2 after Dispatch reported the pair had been dating for months, with T.O.P's agency Topspot Pictures saying the two grew close filming the 'Studio54' music video and turned romantic around June, and Nana's agency Sublime calling it 'a beautiful relationship.' Kagit reports the aftermath now includes renewed attention to T.O.P's old comments.

Kagit reports that after the announcement, T.O.P's past remarks on MBC's 'Golden Fishery – Radio Star' resurfaced. On the show, he said he had dated three people since age 19, admitted he prefers women who do not drink despite enjoying alcohol himself, and joked that potential partners 'probably can't tolerate me.' He also said he once dated a drinker for three to four years but barely made memories because he blacked out, and revealed he habitually turns off his phone while drinking.

Kagit notes T.O.P's relationship philosophy on that show ran against what fans might expect from a public couple: he said he did not want two people to become too close, adding that he thinks it is 'best when two people aren't that close,' and that he likes someone 'who is always in that position.' The stark contrast between those statements and an openly confirmed romance is precisely what netizens are now debating, per Kagit.

The relationship first surfaced when Dispatch published photographs of Nana and T.O.P together at a convenience store and outside an apartment building, reporting they spent time on several days in the Seoul neighbourhood where Nana lives, per Malay Mail. Malay Mail adds that T.O.P reportedly accompanied Nana until she left for her flight to Milan for fashion week in late September. Hindustan Times and Outlook India both corroborate the agencies' confirmations on October 2.

Hindustan Times reports Nana addressed the news directly on the fan messaging platform Bubble, writing: 'You must have been taken aback. Me too, and I'm a little embarrassed as well,' and 'We'll continue to see each other happily and healthily.' Malay Mail notes she separately apologised on September 22 for viewer criticism over her apparent lip filler in 'The Scandal,' writing that if her lips made viewers uncomfortable, that was her fault as a personal acting choice.

According to Outlook India, Dispatch cited an acquaintance of the couple saying the two 'have a deep understanding of each other' and 'walked similar paths, including their debuts, careers, rumours and the wounds they have suffered' — a bond fans see as second-generation-idol solidarity. Outlook India also notes T.O.P played Thanos in Squid Game seasons 2 and 3, while Kagit says netizens are still excavating both stars' past statements, so more resurfaced material looks likely.