BLACKPINK member Jennie is at the center of new dating rumors, this time involving American actor and skateboarder Nico Hiraga. These rumors have gained attention because of a surprising connection to fellow BLACKPINK member Rosé’s own past dating speculation. The link between both situations is actor and model Evan Mock, who appeared in Rosé’s music video and was previously rumored to be dating her. Social media users are discussing photos that supposedly show Jennie and Nico together in Vancouver, Canada. Some international fans claim these pictures are evidence of a relationship. However, many Korean netizens are dismissing the speculation, suggesting they are likely just friends.
The rumors started when social media users shared photos from 2024. One post stated, “Jennie with her friends and her boyfriend. In the second pic, she’s sleeping in a hoodie, the same hoodie from the first photo. If you look closely, the guy next to her is shirtless and also sleeping.” Other users pointed to a photo of Jennie and Nico posing together as further potential evidence. These posts began circulating widely, leading to increased online discussion about Jennie’s personal life.
Nico Hiraga is known for his roles in projects like the film “Booksmart” and “Moxie.” Before acting, he had dreams of becoming a professional skateboarder, which were sidelined after an injury when he was 19 years old. He remains active in the skateboarding community, which is where his connection to Evan Mock likely began. Evan Mock is an actor, model, and skateboarder who appeared as Rosé’s love interest in her “toxic ’til the end” music video. Their on-screen chemistry and sightings together previously sparked dating rumors for Rosé.
The friendship between Nico Hiraga and Evan Mock is seen as the connection point between the dating rumors of the two BLACKPINK members. Their shared interest in skateboarding and similar professional circles likely brought them together. This link has led some fans to speculate about a potential connection between Jennie and Rosé through their mutual acquaintances. However, no evidence suggests the rumors are anything more than coincidence.
Most Korean netizens are not convinced by the dating rumors. They argue that the photos only show Jennie and Nico as close friends, not a couple. One netizen pointed out that BLACKPINK members often show public affection toward male friends, particularly if those friends are either gay or have a business relationship. Comments from Korean online communities reflect this skepticism.
Korean netizens commented:
“From those photos, what ‘couple vibes’ are we supposed to be seeing? The delusional overreaction is ridiculous.”
“But if they’re being photographed so openly like that, isn’t it more likely they’re just friends? I think they’re only a year apart in age too, so they probably just met through mutual friends and hung out together lol.”
“Can’t BLACKPINK hang out with friends? With how successful they are, they probably have tons of connections overseas. Just being seen together doesn’t mean he’s automatically a boyfriend lol.”
“Whenever BLACKPINK members are seen close with a guy like that, it’s usually either a gay friend or a business contact.”
“He looks clearly gay… the photo with the glitter under his eyes and the pink flower earrings… How does he look like her boyfriend?”
Jennie has been linked to several high-profile relationships in the past. Her dating history includes EXO’s Kai, with whom she had a public relationship in 2019 that lasted only 25 days after being revealed. She was also romantically linked to BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, with reports suggesting they dated for about a year. More recently, Jennie has been the subject of dating rumors with BTS member V, with several photos of them together circulating online, though neither party has confirmed a relationship.
Rosé has also faced her share of dating rumors. During promotions for her solo album “Rosie,” she revealed that some songs were inspired by past relationships. This led to speculation about who her ex might be. Rumors included actors Kang Dong-won and Jaden Smith, both of which were denied. She was also linked to Evan Mock after their music video collaboration, but these rumors were confirmed to be false. Rosé addressed these speculations in interviews, stating she prefers to keep her personal life private but acknowledges she takes dating seriously.
Rosé told i-D magazine:
“I’m like, more of a relationship-er, which is why people say ‘Rosie, you’re still so young’ – Like, I’m very serious about dating.”
In another interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music Radio, she discussed her song “gameboy” being about a past ex:
“I’d never like the person to know about it but I would talk about it so much. Do not want to give credit to the person, but I’d talk about it and it’s just the easiest. It was the easiest. I needed to get it off my chest.”
Dating rumors are common in the K-pop industry, but they often come with challenges for idols. Many agencies, including YG Entertainment, have historically discouraged public relationships to maintain artist images. However, BLACKPINK members have been more open about their personal lives recently. Jisoo publicly dated actor Ahn Bo-hyun for a short period in 2023, while Lisa has been linked to Frédéric Arnault, son of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault. The group’s global popularity means their personal lives are constantly under scrutiny.
The recent rumors come as BLACKPINK continues their “DEADLINE” world tour. The group recently performed in Canada and is scheduled to perform in other countries. Despite the dating speculation, both Jennie and Rosé remain focused on their music careers. Rosé’s solo album “Rosie” was released in December 2024 and has been well-received by fans. Jennie is also expected to release new solo music in the future. The group continues to break records, with members individually achieving success on international music charts.
As of now, neither Jennie nor her agency has commented on the rumors regarding Nico Hiraga. Similarly, there has been no official statement from YG Entertainment. The lack of confirmation is consistent with the agency’s typical response to dating rumors, often citing the private nature of artists’ personal lives. Most fans are choosing to respect Jennie’s privacy and are waiting for any official updates before drawing conclusions.
Credits: StyleCaster
