![[SBS Star] "I Was 19, He Was 14" 2NE1 DARA Faces Backlash for Dating a Minor & Lying About Her Age](http://img.sbs.co.kr/newimg/news/20250214/202039997_1280.jpg)
Last year, DARA uploaded a video on her YouTube channel documenting a trip to the Philippines with her fellow group member Minzy.
During the trip, DARA shared a story about how she ended up dating a 14-year-old boy when she was 19, and this sparked controversy.
DARA said, "I was just out and about when a guy came up to me and asked for my number. He was so cute that I gave it to him—then he told me he was 14."
She continued, "At the time, I was 19 and about to make my debut. I lied and told him I was 16, and we went on a few dates."
She added with a smile, "We played whack-a-mole, basketball games, watched a movie, and just had fun together."
"Then, all of a sudden, I debuted as a member of 2NE1, and my real age was revealed on TV. I never contacted him again after that," DARA laughed as she concluded.
Minzy laughed and joked, "That boy got scammed."
Audiences, especially those sensitive to issues involving minors, have continued to call her out.
DARA's agency seems to have taken notice soon after. The production team later edited out the controversial part, reuploaded the video, and released a statement.
"We have re-edited parts of the video that could be misinterpreted depending on cultural differences. We ask that people refrain from spreading false rumors, making excessive assumptions, or posting malicious comments about this episode or the artist. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate legal action against any attempts to defame the artist's reputation," the statement read.
However, their statement was also criticized for downplaying the issue as just some "cultural differences" rather than addressing the real problem, while emphasizing legal action instead.
(SBS Star)