TVXQ's U-Know Yunho reflected on the strict rules that many idols faced during the second generation of K-pop, sharing that phone confiscation and dating restrictions were common, while admitting that determined idols could still find ways to see each other.
The singer made the remarks during an appearance on JTBC's Knowing Bros, where he joined BTOB's Seo Eunkwang, Oh My Girl's Hyojung, and BOYNEXTDOOR's Myung Jaehyun to discuss how idol life has changed over the years.
When asked about the contract terms for second-generation idols, Yunho explained that trainees and idols often had their phones taken away.
"Starting from the second generation, our phones were confiscated. It was meant to help us focus properly during training," he said.
Yunho also recalled that dating restrictions were common at the time.
"There were dating bans too. Everyone handled it in their own way, but if you secretly dated and got caught, your phone would be taken away. We were from the 16-tone ringtone generation," he said.
When the conversation turned to whether idols were still able to date despite those rules, Yunho answered with a smile, "You could still find a way to meet." Host Lee Soo Geun jokingly added, "Even during wartime, people still had children."
The discussion then shifted to how idol culture has evolved across different generations.
Asked about dating, Myung Jaehyun playfully replied, "I have about two million girlfriends. They're ONEDOOR," referring to BOYNEXTDOOR's fandom. Yunho responded in the same lighthearted spirit, saying, "I have Cassiopeia," referring to TVXQ's fan club.
Seo Eunkwang shared that his generation had fewer formal restrictions.
"I think I'm somewhere between the second and third generation. I had a phone, but we were simply asked not to bring it to the broadcasting station. It wasn't a contract rule, just an agreement," he explained.
Hyojung revealed that the rules were even stricter when she was a trainee.
"Back then, we weren't allowed to have a phone at all. I couldn't open a phone account for three years, so we only had email. That's how we stayed in touch," she said.
Myung Jaehyun added that things are more relaxed for newer idols today.
"We're trusted to manage ourselves. We just don't bring our phones to the broadcasting station," he said.
