Lee Hong-ki Dating Rumors Resurface as Jang Keun-suk Exposes Past Relationship on Radio Star 2025
FT Island's Lee Hong-ki got more than he bargained for during his July 16 appearance on MBC's "Radio Star" when close friend Jang Keun-suk unexpectedly brought up his decade-old dating scandal with Japanese model Shinozaki Ai.
What started as a discussion about Hong-ki being listed among "Top 10 Koreans Most Disliked by Japanese People" quickly shifted when Jang Keun-suk interrupted with a bombshell revelation.
"This is just an excuse," the actor said with a grin. "There was a major dating scandal with a top-class Japanese star. Even now, Korean netizens are still commenting about it."
Hong-ki appeared visibly uncomfortable as he tried to clarify: "I didn't know that friend was so popular in Korea. Shinozaki Ai, she's a gravure model. But the facts are that it's groundless. We were just really friends."
However, his choice of words raised eyebrows. When he emphasized "at that time, it wasn't true. We were friends," the show's hosts immediately pounced on the phrase "at that time."
Shinozaki Ai, born February 26, 1992, is a Japanese gravure model and actress who gained attention in 2006 at age 14 for her unusually curvaceous figure. She went viral in South Korea around 2016 when her MAXIM cover sold out completely, earning double her usual fee for Korean gigs compared to Japanese ones.
The dating rumors first erupted in April 2015 when Sports Today reported that Hong-ki and Shinozaki Ai had been secretly dating for six months since October 2014. The report claimed industry insiders said Hong-ki was "openly dating without hiding the relationship" due to his free-spirited personality.
Both parties quickly denied the rumors. FT Island's agency stated the two were "just close friends," while Shinozaki Ai later appeared on Japanese radio explicitly denying any romantic involvement, saying "Of course not, because we're friends" when asked if they had ever kissed.
Despite years of denials, speculation has persisted online. Some Korean online communities have referenced unverified reports claiming the relationship was more serious than publicly acknowledged, with suggestions they even met each other's families.
Jang Keun-suk's comment about ongoing netizen discussions proved prescient - within hours of the Radio Star broadcast, Hong-ki's name began trending alongside Shinozaki Ai's on Korean social media platforms.
The 35-year-old singer's emphasis on the timeline - "at that time" - has reignited speculation about whether their relationship status changed after the initial denial. His visible discomfort during the segment only added fuel to the fire.
Jang Keun-suk seemed to enjoy his friend's predicament, adding: "The ripple effect is huge - even now, comments are being posted saying 'Hong-ki is fine because he has that friend.'"
This incident highlights how celebrity dating rumors in the digital age can persist across borders and decades. What began as a 2015 entertainment story has now become a recurring topic whenever Hong-ki appears on variety shows.
For Hong-ki, who has built a reputation for his candid personality, the moment serves as a reminder that even close friendships can create unexpected complications during live television appearances. Whether his latest comments will finally put the rumors to rest or add new chapters to the decade-long speculation remains to be seen.
