A lovestagram controversy surrounding national fencing athlete Oh Sang-wook and Japan-Korea mixed-race model Haruka Toyoda has flared up again. Is it a series of coincidences, or a cautious signal.
The trigger was an SNS post released around Christmas. Oh Sang-wook recently posted a photo taken at a café with the caption "Have a warm Christmas." Sitting on a brown-colored sofa drinking a warm beverage, the cozy year-end atmosphere caught attention.
Then on the 28th, Haruka Toyoda posted multiple photos with the phrase "Jeju Christmas." The published shots showed a café interior very similar to the one in Oh Sang-wook's photos, and what appeared to be the same brown sofa. Online, speculations such as "Isn't it the same place?" quickly spread.
What poured fuel on the suspicions were the details. Among the photos Haruka Toyoda posted, a paper with Oh Sang-wook's autograph was captured, and the images included a shadow shot evoking a couple atmosphere and a man's hand wearing a ring, prompting reactions such as "It's too much to be a coincidence." Some fans even suggested, "Wasn't it meant to show off?"
The two were already embroiled in dating rumors once in September last year. At the time, interest focused on mutual SNS likes and comment exchanges and the fact that Oh Sang-wook's family and Haruka Toyoda followed each other, but neither side issued a separate statement. Later, Oh Sang-wook drew a line on broadcast saying, "I currently do not have a girlfriend."
However, the reappearance of overlapping places, props and timing around this Christmas period rekindled suspicions. With views of "a coincidence" and interpretations of "evidence of a relationship" clashing strongly, the parties involved remain silent.
Meanwhile, Oh Sang-wook followed his 2020 Tokyo Olympic team sabre gold with two titles in the 2024 Paris Olympics individual and team events, becoming Korea's first Olympic double gold medalist in fencing history. He has since expanded his public recognition by appearing on variety shows. Haruka Toyoda is a model four years younger than Oh Sang-wook.
[Photo] SNS, OSEN DB
[OSEN]