Seoul Snapshot: Sometimes Love Just Happens

Photo credit: XO~EXO~XO

Those two innocently beautiful people above are major Korean popstars who have ignited a minor media frenzy, of sorts, among Korean pop fans because they are *choke* *gasp* DATING. He is Baekhyun, she is Taeyeon.

I don't get the controversy but one of my brightest 6th grade ESL students tried to explain it to me.

Student: Teacher, Baekhyun told a lie. He says he won't date until he is old, after army. He says he loves his fans.
Me: But she's very pretty. Maybe they're in love. Fans are nice, but maybe he wants a real girlfriend.
Student: Yes, but he lied. Love is not important.
Me: Yeah, but sometimes love just happens.
Student: Huh?
Me: Sometimes, you can love somebody when you don't choose to.
Student: NO, teacher, NO. You choose your love. You choose when. You choose, then it's okay. Love before choose is LIE.

And this is why my student will be married with children by 35, like all Koreans seem to be, and I am still mostly single.