Shotaro Addresses Giselle Dating Speculation During Live Broadcast

RIIZE's Shotaro took matters into his own hands on January 29, responding directly to persistent dating rumors involving aespa's Giselle during a Weverse livestream.

The Japanese idol confronted spam comments flooding his broadcast that questioned whether he was romantically involved with the aespa member. Rather than ignoring the speculation, Shotaro addressed it head-on with a straightforward denial.

"There have been a lot of strange comments since earlier asking things like 'Did you date Giselle?'" Shotaro told viewers. "We don't have that kind of relationship at all."

He clarified their actual connection: both work under SM Entertainment, where Giselle serves as his senior in the company. "She's a close friend," Shotaro explained, emphasizing their professional and platonic relationship.

The 25-year-old expressed reluctance about needing to address such rumors publicly but felt compelled to clear up misunderstandings. He warned that continued inappropriate comments would result in reports against those users.

Shotaro and Giselle share several commonalities that likely fueled the speculation. Both are Japanese nationals born in 2000, navigating careers in South Korea's competitive entertainment industry. These shared experiences appear to have created a natural friendship between the two SM Entertainment artists.

Dating rumors between K-pop idols frequently emerge from minimal interactions or superficial similarities. In this case, the connection between two Japanese artists at the same company proved sufficient to spark online gossip.

Shotaro originally joined NCT in 2020 before transitioning to RIIZE with his official debut in September 2023. Giselle debuted with aespa in November 2020 and continues promoting with the group.

RIIZE recently released their first full-length album "Odyssey" in May 2025 and embarked on the RIIZING LOUD world tour. The group performed in Singapore on January 24, just days before Shotaro's livestream denial. Additional tour dates include upcoming stops in the Philippines, Macau, and Japan through early 2026.

Fans praised Shotaro's direct handling of the situation, viewing his response as appropriate for protecting both his and Giselle's reputations. Many noted his consistent willingness to speak up against baseless speculation rather than allowing rumors to persist unchallenged.

The incident reflects broader challenges K-pop idols face regarding privacy and persistent dating speculation that emerges from routine professional interactions.