What is room bar? Pentagon Wooseok and fromis_9's labels deny members consuming alcohol, call it 'groundless'
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Over the last couple of days there have been a lot of dating rumors surrounding K-pop idols. Be it ITZY's Ryujin who is rumored to be dating NCT's Haechan or Winner's Seungyoon who is in a seemingly public relationship with rookie YG Entertainment idol Moon Jihyo. With there being no truth to one or any explanation to the rumors, fans of K-pop have found themselves amid a completely new rumor over the last few hours.
On August 18, photos from 'eye-witness' fans made the rounds online. According to these photos, fans alleged that four fromis_9 members were seen hanging out in Hongdae, Seoul alongside boy group Pentagon's Wooseok. The issue became sensationalized after it was reported by the same fans that the five idols went to a room bar in the area. Not only that but it was also alleged that the idols engaged in drinking a lot of alcohol and to add fuel to the fire, Wooseok was also spotted smoking an e-cigarette.
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🌟 Jisun | Weverse Post
— 🍊fromis_9 latam 🗝 (@tokyflover) August 18, 2022
“٩(｡•́‿•̀｡)۶”@realfromis_9|#RohJisun pic.twitter.com/iD25vSmq8y
What is a room bar?
The rumor stated that the five idols visited a room bar in Hongdae, one where Pentagon's Wooseok was allegedly spotted smoking at. Room Bars in South Korea mean a private space or a room where guests are served alcohol. Since the space is free from public access, the guests are able to engage in activities of their choice without the fear of being caught by the public eye. Being associated with a place like a room bar is generally frowned upon in the Korean community. And when it comes to K-pop idols being associated with a place of such a reputation, the outrage is amplified.
Korean media shuts down rumor about Pentagon's Wooseok and fromis_9
After being called out by fans for making up a fake rumor, the OP (Original poster) came up with 'proof' in the form of photos to point out that the girls of fromis_9 hung out with Wooseok at a room bar. Some of the OP's claims were purported with the post made by fromis_9's Jisun who posted a photo of the four members of the girl group. In the photo booth pictures from Jisun, fans were able to spot the fromis_9 members wearing the same outfits as spotted by OP.
Soon after the rumor started grabbing a lot of attention among fans, Pledis Entertainment and Cube Entertainment both provided their statements addressing the rumor. Pentagon's agency, Cube Entertainment rubbished the rumor stating that Wooseok had never been at the place on that day and had not contacted any member of the girl group. They said, "It is groundless. Wooseok was not there at the time. Nor has he contacted anyone from fromis_9. He has never met them on that or any other day." Pledis Entertainment also pointed out that the girls of fromis_9 did visit Hongdae but did not engage in consuming alcohol or visit a room bar for that matter.