THE BOYZ’ “Dating” Reveal Is Going Viral On Social Media — Giving Dispatch A Run For Their Money

When it comes to dating in the Korean entertainment industry, Dispatch is known for its bold reveals through photos of the hottest stars connecting them together.

Lee Do Hyun and Lim Ji Yeon dating photos Lee Jong Suk and IU “couple items” for the reveal Ahn Bo Hyun and BLACKPINK Jisoo pictures for dating reveal

It seems like one group that’s used the idea of “Dispatch reveals” for their own advantage is THE BOYZ.

The members of THE BOYZ | @IST_THEBOYZ/Twitter

On April 22, THE BOYZ social media account shared some photos of what looked like an article with the title, “[Exclusive] THE BOYZ’s current date at Hangang Park… Who’s the companion? (Summary).”

In the photos, netizens couldn’t get over the fact that it was a “Dispatch” style article that showed dating rumors, but the plot twist was that it was all about members Hyunjae and Yonghoon. It showed photos of Hyunjae in an outfit, then the same outfit in a photo of Yonghoon, and then a photo of both of them in the same looks at a store and going for food.

When the tweet was shared by THE BOYZ X account…

[#더보이즈 뉴스] [단독] 더보이즈 #현재 한강공원 데이트 포착… 상대는? (종합)#THEBOYZ@IST_THEBOYZ pic.twitter.com/6DStMCwNu4

— 더보이즈(THE BOYZ) (@IST_THEBOYZ) April 22, 2024

International netizens couldn’t get over the promotions IST was using ahead of THE BOYZ’ comeback with Phantasy Part 3. Love Letter. They loved how far the group and company were going with the concept and how it made a change from the other drama in K-Pop.

ist editing a dating rumour article for tbz yaoi propagators while the rest of the industry is in flames https://t.co/FrtceO5EmV pic.twitter.com/th21gB5b0J

— alex wayv era (@hyukawoo) April 22, 2024

a company posting dating news…about their own members…who are both guys… https://t.co/HHf7Xp9TRr pic.twitter.com/PvXTNfhWNA

— ed (@ericsohnyj) April 22, 2024

"their hands touched at last…" https://t.co/4AmpfCQC7P pic.twitter.com/mZhZVtjwDB

— tbz's ♡︎ (@segyeah) April 22, 2024

next couple reveal better be sunric… WE WANT SUNRIC https://t.co/YjvS7aGBRi pic.twitter.com/GYHkuR3wzs

— ⭑ (@gureum1s) April 22, 2024

Yet, while many fans found it hilarious, Korean netizens were more split with their views on the way THE BOYZ were promoting their upcoming release. Some understood that it was just a concept, but others were critical of the company’s methods and believed that it was fine for fans but would receive a lot of criticism from netizens in general.

| theqoo

• You guys, it’s pitiful. Just the fact that names are going up and down like that, seriously, it’s probably not liked. Is the agency seriously posting this thinking it’s funny? Crossing the line, seriously.
• Fans all like it, but non-fans are criticizing.
• It’s not even a real dating rumor, so what’s the problem?
• It’s funny, but since it’s a time when the group’s reputation is declining, it seems right for those remaining loyal fans to receive a lot of criticism…
• It’s funny, but the reactions are harsh.
• It was done in the style of a parody of a love letter, so what’s the problem?ㅋㅋㅋㅋ There are so many parodies like that ㅋㅋㅋㅋ It’s funny, though ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
• What kind of idol agency finds it good to provoke controversy by parodying specialized media about idol hardships with their own idols? It really feels like they’re getting dumber along with it. It’s understandable if young fans on TWT say that, but really, even if they’re young…ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

It is definitely a unique concept and will gain attention from both fans and those who might not listen to the group just because of the strong aesthetics resembling dating reveals.