Dara gets hate for casually admitting she dated a 14oy at 19 before her debut (1 Viewer)

[Pirioca]

there aint now way... shes a pedo ewwww

The article mentions that it's not clear which age system she used. AFAIK the Korean age system is +1 year. If she used the Korean age system, that 14yo boy would be 13yo according to international standards (-1 year).

If Dara used the international age, the boy would be 15yo in Korea and she would be 20yo. That makes more sense. Because why should a 13yo boy date a way older girl?

A 15yo precocious boy could look and think like a 16yo, maybe even 17yo, teenager. A (biologically) 16yo or 17yo teenager that dates an 20yo old girl is still far from usual - but then I wouldn't call Dara a pervert.

That doesn't excuse anything. Imagine the opposite case: She would be that young and a way older guy would gave her his number. Even Dara would probably think it's not the best idea to date that person.

Another question: What is 'dating' in Korea? Does it mean that two people just go out and have fun and there might be a more intimate contact after some dates? Or does the definition of 'dating' in Korea always includes a sexual contact?

Edit: I hope I didn't cause chaos because of that age system thing.

 

[alo]

wow that's disgusting wtf

 

[The_LastRomeo]

The article mentions that it's not clear which age system she used. AFAIK the Korean age system is +1 year. If she used the Korean age system, that 14yo boy would be 13yo according to international standards (-1 year).

If Dara used the international age, the boy would be 15yo in Korea and she would be 20yo. That makes more sense. Because why should a 13yo boy date a way older girl?

A 15yo precocious boy could look and think like a 16yo, maybe even 17yo, teenager. A (biologically) 16yo or 17yo teenager that dates an 20yo old girl is still far from usual - but then I wouldn't call Dara a pervert.

That doesn't excuse anything. Imagine the opposite case: She would be that young and a way older guy would gave her his number. Even Dara would probably think it's not the best idea to date that person.

Another question: What is 'dating' in Korea? Does it mean that two people just go out and have fun and there might be a more intimate contact after some dates? Or does the definition of 'dating' in Korea always includes a sexual contact?

Edit: I hope I didn't cause chaos because of that age system thing.

Honestly I hope she's using the international age but I highly doubt it because she's Korean, but also wouldn't change the fact that she knew his age and lied either. But when you think about what is dating in Korean, skin ship is not common over there, their definition of dates is drinking Americano's at a shop. A lot of people (not you) are assuming she slept with him before her debut for some reason

 

[Pirioca]

Honestly I hope she's using the international age but I highly doubt it because she's Korean, but also wouldn't change the fact that she knew his age and lied either. But when you think about what is dating in Korean, skin ship is not common over there, their definition of dates is drinking Americano's at a shop. A lot of people (not you) are assuming she slept with him before her debut for some reason

That's something she should better clarify because there's a huge difference. Going out for an alcohol-free drink with a 13yo is harmless, sleeping with him is a no-go!

 

[alo]

Honestly I hope she's using the international age but I highly doubt it because she's Korean, but also wouldn't change the fact that she knew his age and lied either. But when you think about what is dating in Korean, skin ship is not common over there, their definition of dates is drinking Americano's at a shop. A lot of people (not you) are assuming she slept with him before her debut for some reason

That's something she should better clarify because there's a huge difference. Going out for an alcohol-free drink with a 13yo is harmless, sleeping with him is a no-go!

she's on a korean show talking to a korean person (minzy) so i assume she's using korean age. i highly doubt most korean people, have switched over to using international age in casual contexts, even though officially south korea has switched over to int age. so she was 18 (a minor in sk) and the boy was 13.

however, it's worth noting that dara grew up in the philippines, and didn't shift back to sk until she was 22 or 23. so this event likely took place there. i did say this was disgusting, but then again idk what dating really means in korea or the phillippines. i'd suppose it's not exactly harmful per se if they just went out to grab a cheesecake or whatever

still, i think it's weird i'm ngl. no matter what, dating still has romantic connotations, and to call whatever encounter you had as an 18-19yo with a 13-14yo as a date is,,, i'll definitely side-eye fs.

 

[Pirioca]

still, i think it's weird i'm ngl. no matter what, dating still has romantic connotations, and to call whatever encounter you had as an 18-19yo with a 13-14yo as a date is,,, i'll definitely side-eye fs.

Her decision to tell that story was totally beyond common sense and a disservice for 2NE1. She's an idol and she isn't new in the K-Pop business. She should have known better. Especially in South Korea idols are often (always?) role models. And here we have a role model that obviously tells her fans that it's ok to date minors (while she didn't explain how she defines 'dating').

I don't know if 2NE1 has many underage fans nowadays but what's the message for that community? It's fun when an almost adult person gives you their number and wants to date you, kids? She should warn minors about such situations!

I don't think it was Dara's intention to trivilialize child abuse. I guess she was just a bit (probably more than just a bit) naive.

 

[centen]

The casual way she told this story just reinforces what a different world celebrities live in. Like the obvious reaction didn't even occur to her.

 

[Pirioca]

The casual way she told this story just reinforces what a different world celebrities live in. Like the obvious reaction didn't even occur to her.

And while the warnings of parents often remain unnoticed (because parents 'know nothing'), the words of incluencers/celebrities are often like a direction sign for kids and teens. That's the reason why especially celebrities should activate their brain cells before talking.

 

[centen]

And while the warnings of parents often remain unnoticed (because parents 'know nothing'), the words of incluencers/celebrities are often like a direction sign for kids and teens. That's the reason why especially celebrities should activate their brain cells before talking.

If I was a celebrity, you would never hear from me outside of contractually obligated interviews. It baffles me how often celebrities stick their foot in their mouth when you know they've had a ton of media training. (Or if they haven't, it's certainly available to them. But there's no way she was a kpop idol without that being one of the things they trained her on.)

 

[Pirioca]

If I was a celebrity, you would never hear from me outside of contractually obligated interviews. It baffles me how often celebrities stick their foot in their mouth when you know they've had a ton of media training. (Or if they haven't, it's certainly available to them. But there's no way she was a kpop idol without that being one of the things they trained her on.)

The problem is that many fans want to hear or read about dramas, everyday sensations, scandals. Imagine a popular idol that would only talk about creativity, music making, dancing, recording songs, making MVs.
Some fandoms would be like: "What is he/she talking about? We want drama! DRAMA!"

 

[centen]

The problem is that many fans want to hear or read about dramas, everyday sensations, scandals. Imagine a popular idol that would only talk about creativity, music making, dancing, recording songs, making MVs.
Some fandoms would be like: "What is he/she talking about? We want drama! DRAMA!"

Some celebrities manage a low profile! Though the idol relationship is so parasocial, that makes it harder. I suppose it's a matter of knowing what the right kind of drama is. "I had to fight with my company to make this popular MV" always feeds a nice "the company sucks, my fave is the best" narrative. "I pretended to be a minor to date an even younger minor" is yikes.

 

[The_LastRomeo]

she's on a korean show talking to a korean person (minzy) so i assume she's using korean age. i highly doubt most korean people, have switched over to using international age in casual contexts, even though officially south korea has switched over to int age. so she was 18 (a minor in sk) and the boy was 13.

however, it's worth noting that dara grew up in the philippines, and didn't shift back to sk until she was 22 or 23. so this event likely took place there. i did say this was disgusting, but then again idk what dating really means in korea or the phillippines. i'd suppose it's not exactly harmful per se if they just went out to grab a cheesecake or whatever

still, i think it's weird i'm ngl. no matter what, dating still has romantic connotations, and to call whatever encounter you had as an 18-19yo with a 13-14yo as a date is,,, i'll definitely side-eye fs.

Yeah dating standards might be different but its 2025, she should know that things change, no one would benefit from her telling this story so I don't know why she felt the need to tell anyone.

 

[Pirioca]

Yeah dating standards might be different but its 2025, she should know that things change, no one would benefit from her telling this story so I don't know why she felt the need to tell anyone.

Let's see if there will be a clarifying statement from her or at least a reaction from other 2NE1 members (especially CL). They just had their 'Welcome Back' concerts. I can't imagine that the group was very pleased about that type of 'public relations'.

 

[The_LastRomeo]

Let's see if there will be a clarifying statement from her or at least a reaction from other 2NE1 members (especially CL). They just had their 'Welcome Back' concerts. I can't imagine that the group was very pleased about that type of 'public relations'.

That's what I'm thinking too, hopefully, she clarifies SOMETHING

 

[eclipsoul]

just really fucking gross all the way, especially the fact that she's telling it as if it was some cute childhood story or some shit. i hope i don't see anyone attempt to defend this.

 

[babyv004]

Why are people here trying to make excuses? At the end it don't matter if it is korean or international age, the age gap is still insane and she is an adult in both cases and the victim an underage.
What a 19 year old person would want or have in common with someone with 14 or a 20 year person with someone with 15? 🤨

And why you guys are saying things like "what dating/date means in korea"? Does koreans date different from the rest of the world or you guys are getting fooled by kdramas? Even if there is no sex involved there still skinship (holding hand, hugging and even kissing).

“i lied, it was the only chance i had” is such a crazy thing. The fact she lied about her age by saying to the kid she was 16 means she knew she was doing something wrong.

i don't recall our exact age at the time (maybe 15/16) but this reminded me of a case of a girl in my class dating a 20-something boy that was already at college.
Once she let me use her phone and she had a message from her boyfriend and i know it was wrong but me and another friend checked their messages and they was all dirty af. At the time I didn't though much of it but now reflecting on it if adults are dating minors is bc they know they are inexperienced and easier to control and manipulate.

 

[Kataphract]

Because why should a 13yo boy date a way older girl?

I agree with your whole post, just wanted to give a perspective of why:

Spoiler: TW: PEDOPHILIA

Coming from personal experience, it's more like an approval thing. It strokes the ego that such an older anyone, but especially woman would approve and want to date. It'd be hella weird at first but if he was any amount curious and she was any amount persistent, concerns can easily be sidelined, especially for guys with a not so strong friendship network to keep their viewpoint grounded in reality.

------------------

Watching those cop bodycam case studies into cases like pedophilia (so the age gap is a whole helluva lot worse) often the younger guy is really eager after becoming intimate and becoming comfortable with the situation. That's not to say that there isn't still trauma to be processed after the guy is pulled out of the traumatic situation. A lot of these are schoolteachers and their grade school or middle school students too, for a perspective. Some are literal kids pre puberty.

The world is too big, and there are too many people.

 

[Abeamus]

Her retelling of it is more bothersome to me as while it sounds like for one it didn't even last that long as she said they went on a few dates then her age came up on TV and she stopped contacting them so she was 19 and shouldn't have done it but it doesn't sound malicious inherently. That doesn't hold up though when she is being so nonchalant about it with her retelling as it does not come across like she's remorseful for doing it which she's not 19 anymore and should without a shadow of doubt know better now.

 

[Selfmate]

interesting

 

[seungfloral]

Casually lying to a minor to date them?

Idk what to say, what are your thoughts?