Controversial former idol trainee Han Seo Hee is facing another wave of backlash after revealing that her recently publicized relationship with a handsome foreign model was actually part of an advertisement.
The situation became even messier when netizens uncovered the model’s publicly listed collaboration rates, fueling speculation that the elaborate fake romance may have carried a price tag exceeding ₩2.00 million KRW (about $1,390 USD).
The controversy began on August 1 when Han uploaded several affectionate photos and videos with French model and influencer Arthur Moreno. The content presented the two as a couple enjoying time together in Paris, immediately sparking questions about whether Han had entered a new relationship. Rather than correcting the assumption, Han appeared to confirm it.
Thank you for showing so much interest in my man. But please don’t create strange rumors. He is a normal man. Please look upon us fondly.
— Han Seo Hee
The statement left little room for audiences to interpret the posts as a simple professional collaboration. Han openly referred to Moreno as “my man” and asked the public not to spread rumors about him, causing entertainment outlets and online communities to report that she was dating a foreign model.
By August 3, however, the entire story had fallen apart. Han abruptly announced that she did not have a boyfriend. “I don’t have anything like a lover. You are all my lovers,” she commented. She then claimed that she had traveled to Paris for work and had only asked Moreno to film a Reel with her.
I told you I was going to Paris for work. I didn’t know people would dig him up like this. I just asked, ‘Do you want to film a Reel?’ and he said yes. This is seriously driving me crazy.
— Han Seo Hee
Han subsequently directed followers to a fortune-telling website, revealing that the supposed relationship had been created as promotional content. In other words, the seemingly candid romance, Han’s public acknowledgment of her “man,” and her request that netizens stop spreading rumors about him had all apparently formed part of an advertising stunt.
The revelation left many viewers confused about why Han had gone beyond merely posting couple-themed content and actively encouraged the belief that the relationship was real.
The fake dating scandal then took another turn when Moreno was identified as a professional model available for paid brand collaborations. Moreno’s profile on influencer marketplace Collabstr lists him as a 24-year-old French creator based in New York who produces lifestyle, fashion, fitness, and beauty content. His advertised packages include $335 USD for one Instagram feed post, $450 for three Instagram Stories, and $675 for one Instagram Reel. The platform also allows creators and clients to negotiate customized packages, meaning those figures do not necessarily reflect the terms of any private agreement.
Based on the number and types of posts reportedly uploaded by Han, one Korean outlet estimated that the listed packages could total approximately $1,645. That calculation included two photo posts, two Stories, and one Reel.
However, there is no confirmation that Han booked Moreno through Collabstr, paid the publicly listed amounts, or paid him anything at all. Han directly denied hiring him. She claimed, “I didn’t pay him. I was thankful that he readily agreed to do it, so I bought him a meal. Please stop.”
Her denial failed to stop the speculation. Netizens questioned whether a professional model with clearly advertised collaboration rates would participate in multiple promotional pieces without compensation simply because Han asked. Still, the published rates alone do not prove that money exchanged hands. Moreno’s Collabstr page explicitly allows negotiated arrangements, and the exact circumstances behind their collaboration remain unknown.
What viewers found harder to dismiss was Han’s own handling of the situation. Had she simply posted an obvious advertisement featuring a fictional boyfriend concept, the content may not have generated the same response. Instead, she allowed dating speculation to spread, referred to Moreno as her partner, and warned netizens not to create “strange rumors” before admitting that the romance was fabricated.
The backlash was immediate. One commenter accused Han of being desperate for attention, while another reduced the controversy to a single brutal observation.
- She must be absolutely desperate for attention…
- Her entire life is a lie, LOL.
- This is hilarious. Why did she even lie?
- “You are all my lovers.” LOL. Even a politician wouldn’t use a line that corny.
- Why are they still writing articles about this unemployed woman? Are ordinary people considered celebrities now too?
- What a pathetic woman.
- Nobody asked, and nobody cares.
Han Seo Hee first became publicly known after appearing on MBC‘s Star Audition Season 3 in 2012 and later training as an idol. Her name subsequently became closely associated with a series of drug-related convictions and public controversies. She received a suspended prison sentence after being convicted of using marijuana and LSD with former BIGBANG member T.O.P in 2016. She was later sentenced to prison after methamphetamine use was detected while she was still under probation, followed by an additional sentence in a separate drug case.
Han completed her sentences and was released in November 2023. Since then, she has remained active primarily through social media and blogging, where her posts regularly attract both attention and criticism.
Read more about her here:
The Tumultuous Rise And Fall Of Korea’s Most Infamous Former Trainee