Former K-pop idol Yoo Dongho has publicly revealed his relationship with Taiwanese-Canadian boyfriend Zilong, who is 16 years younger, through a new couple’s Instagram account and YouTube channel.
The 40-year-old former Apeace member made the announcement recently when the account “Dong Ho Zi Long” posted a photo strip showing the couple kissing with the message “coming soon.” The account’s bio links to their YouTube channel, which features videos of the couple together.
Zilong, born in 2001, making him 24 years old, appears to be a baker who owns or is affiliated with a bakery or cookie shop. One of the videos on their channel shows footage of Zilong flying to confess his feelings for the idol.
The couple’s YouTube channel, launched in December 2025, has been active for less than two weeks.
Before this announcement, neither man had posted hints about their relationship on their main Instagram feeds, making the couple’s channel their official hard launch.
Dongho made his debut in 2010 as a member of Apeace, a boy group under Golden Goose Entertainment that was once known for being the largest in the Korean entertainment industry with 21 members. He was part of the Jade sub-unit and served as the oldest member of the group. Dongho graduated from Apeace in June 2014 along with five other members, and the group ultimately disbanded in 2021.
While LGBTQ+ representation in K-pop has historically been limited due to South Korea’s conservative attitudes toward homosexuality, several artists have courageously come out in recent years. Holland, born Go Tae-seob, is widely recognized as the first openly gay K-pop idol when he debuted in 2018 with his single “Neverland,” which featured a same-sex kiss in the music video.
In April 2025, Bain from the boy group Just B made history as the first active K-pop idol in a Korean group to come out as gay during a concert in Los Angeles. The 23-year-old member told the audience, “I’m proud to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community — as a gay person,” before performing Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” while waving a rainbow flag.
Bain explained in subsequent interviews that hiding his sexuality had been painful and that he decided to come out because he believed he would “gain more” than what he might lose. His bandmates and agency supported his decision, with fellow member Siwoo stating he cried watching Bain’s announcement from backstage.
