TWICE's Jihyo, Olympic skeleton champion rumored to be dating; agencies remain silent

Jihyo of K-pop girl group TWICE, left, and Olympic skeleton gold medalist Yun Sung-bin / Newsis

Jihyo, a member of K-pop girl group TWICE, has been caught up in dating rumors tying her to Olympic skeleton champion Yun Sung-bin. However, their agencies both refused to confirm a relationship.

On Monday, a local media outlet reported that Jihyo and Yun have been dating for about a year after having connected through mutual acquaintances. It added that the two have developed common interests in sports and frequently enjoyed low-key dates at home.

The news immediately generated a buzz online, with numerous internet users pointing out that both of them appeared on the popular reality show "Home Alone," where they shared their daily lives with viewers.

However, when approached for confirmation, Jihyo's agency, JYP Entertainment, opted for discretion.

"It is difficult to confirm this matter due to privacy reasons," JYP said on Monday. "We ask for your understanding."

Yun's agency, All That Sports, took a similar stance, saying it is hard to comment on the private life of a retired athlete.

Jihyo, 27, debuted as the leader of TWICE in 2015 with the mini-album, "The Story Begins." She went solo in August 2023, putting out the album "Zone," which reached 14th on the Billboard 200 main albums chart.

Yun, a former member of Korea's national skeleton team, clinched the gold medal in the men's skeleton at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, becoming the first Asian to win an Olympic medal in sliding sports. Following his retirement in 2022, the 29-year-old has appeared on several TV shows including Netflix's "Physical: 100" (2023).