Why Taeyeon’s Strange Instagram Activity Had Netizens Questioning Her Relationship Status

Last month, fans noticed that Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon followed only one person, leading them to suspect a collaboration or relationship.

True Taeyeon fans would know she doesn’t follow anyone on her Instagram account. Therefore, when they noticed that she started following just one person, a screenshot of her “following” list circulated on online communities.

The screenshot revealed that Taeyeon was following alternative R&B singer-songwriter Dean, known for his hit songs “D (Half Moon),” “Instagram,” and more.

Dean | Joombas Music Group

In 2016, Dean featured on Taeyeon’s song “Starlight,” so the two had a connection already. Therefore, fans speculated that there might be another collaboration in the works, and some netizens wondered if something special was happening between them, saying things such as, “Omg, omg! What’s going on with these two?”

Taeyeon (left) and Dean (right) in the music video for “Starlight.” | SMTOWN/YouTube

On December 1, Taeyeon appeared as a guest on GOT7 member BamBam‘s YouTube channel talk show. As Taeyeon’s biggest fan, BamBam couldn’t hide his excitement about meeting his idol, and Taeyeon shared candidly about how she felt about him being her biggest fan.

Taeyeon (left) and a starstruck BamBam (left) | Bam’s House/YouTube

During the interview, Taeyeon was shown a screenshot of her following Dean on Instagram. She admitted that she just found out that day that she was following him.

Your browser does not support video.| Bam’s House/YouTube 

BamBam thought she had followed him as a marketing tactic, but Taeyeon finally explained why this happened.

No, no. Not at all. I didn’t calculate or plan for this to happen. My friend, Dean, hid his account briefly—he deactivated it. Then, when he activated it again, his account appeared [on my following list].

— Taeyeon

| Bam’s House/YouTube 

Taeyeon then asked the production team what she should do about this situation. BamBam casually gave her a short and straightforward solution.

Can’t you just click ‘unfollow’?

— BamBam

| Bam’s House/YouTube 

Later, Taeyeon unfollowed Dean’s account, making her following count zero again.

| Bam’s House/YouTube 

Earlier this year, Dean concerned fans when he suddenly deactivated his Instagram. Many were concerned that they might not see any music from him again, and some speculated it would happen due to his song “Instagram” and its meaning.

When Dean reactivated his account, his account popped up on the following lists of anyone following him before his deactivation. EXO‘s Baekhyun and Paul Kim were also “victims” of unintentionally re-following Dean through this incident.

EXO’s Baekhyun also followed Dean’s account. | @baekhyunee_exo/Instagram

After returning to Instagram on November 10, Dean released the song “DIE 4 YOU [4:44]” eight days later.