Korean female stars face absurd pregnancy rumors

Several Korean celebrities have recently been forced to deny pregnancy rumors that surfaced online after fans misinterpreted their natural body shapes.

On Oct. 23, actor Gong Hyo-jin’s agency Management SOOP told Xportsnews that “the rumors are completely untrue,” after speculation spread that she was expecting a child.

The rumor started when Gong posted casual photos of her trip to Japan with her husband, singer Kevin Oh, on Oct. 22. Some online users noticed what they thought was a slightly protruding belly or her hand resting near her abdomen, sparking unfounded pregnancy claims. The speculation was debunked within a day.

Gong Hyo-jin / Captured from Gong’s social media

Gong is far from the only celebrity to face such baseless gossip. Singer HyunA, who recently traveled to Singapore with her husband Yong Jun-hyung, was also targeted after photos at Incheon International Airport showed her looking slightly fuller.

HyunA had previously dealt with similar rumors — including claims of a premarital pregnancy. Her label At Area clarified that “it is not true.”

Hong Jin-young / Captured from SBS

Singer Hong Jin-young, who is unmarried, faced her own “pregnancy scandal” after an optical illusion from a tight outfit made her appear to have a rounded belly during a performance. Appearing on an SBS variety show, Hong said she was shocked when she first saw the viral clip.

“I’d never seen that video before. When it popped up on social media, people were saying, ‘What’s wrong with her belly?’ I kept scrolling because I couldn’t believe it. That’s not me,” she said, expressing frustration.

Hong added, “The comments were too much. Some said I was three months pregnant, others six months, or that I was about to give birth. Someone even said, ‘Why is her belly button so big?’ It really hurt.”

Min Hyo-rin / Xportsnews, captured from online community

Actor Min Hyo-rin, who is married to BIGBANG’s Taeyang, also found herself at the center of pregnancy rumors after being spotted at a friend’s wedding. Since her marriage and the birth of her son, Min has largely stayed out of the public eye, and each new sighting has reignited speculation about a possible second child.

This time, Min subtly denied the claims by posting, “Please support me as I continue my life as a mom. The weather’s getting colder — take care, everyone.”

From casual outfits to candid angles, these incidents reflect how female celebrities in South Korea continue to face scrutiny over their bodies and how even minor physical changes can spiral into sensational online rumors.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.