On May 22, 2026, legendary South Korean ballad singer and seasoned entertainer Sung Si-kyung took matters into his own hands by directly addressing the widespread romantic speculation linking him to Japanese model and actress Ayaka Miyoshi.
The dating rumors, which had been gaining considerable traction across international online communities, were sparked by the pair’s exceptional on-screen chemistry and a highly public, ultra-close promotional couple photoshoot.
Rather than releasing a cold, detached corporate statement through his legal representation, Sung Si-kyung chose a characteristically intimate and candid medium to set the record straight: his personal, highly popular culinary YouTube channel.
During a relaxed food broadcast, the veteran vocalist firmly shut down the rumors, explicitly clarifying that while he holds immense respect and fondness for his former co-star, their dynamic is entirely professional and platonic, lacking any romantic or intimate involvement whatsoever.
The sudden surge of public interest in their relationship stems largely from the notable 17-year age gap between the two celebrities- with Sung Si-kyung born in 1979 and Ayaka Miyoshi born in 1996- as well as their crossing of international borders.
The duo first crossed paths professionally earlier in the year when they were cast as main hosts for Season 5 of the hit Netflix original variety program Crazy Restaurant (also known as Gourmet Friend’s Favorite Spots), which officially premiered in March 2026.
The show, which tracks a series of high-end Korea-Japan gourmet dining dates, showcased Sung Si-kyung’s incredibly attentive manners and Miyoshi’s surprisingly robust, “food fighter” appetite.
The organic chemistry generated during filming subsequently carried over into a highly stylized, intimate joint pictorial for Allure Korea magazine in April, which ultimately inadvertently convinced fans that a real-life romance was blossoming behind the scenes.
A Candid Clarification Over Comfort Food and Casual Drinks
The definitive denial came during an episode of Sung Si-kyung’s signature casual mukbang series, titled “Sung Si-kyung’s Eating Time | Jayang-dong Mom’s Sundae.”
While enjoying a solo meal consisting of traditional Korean sundae (blood sausage) and pyeonyuk (sliced pressed meat) at a local restaurant in Seoul, the singer naturally and warmly brought up Miyoshi’s name when discussing the high-quality food.
He noted that in the past, whenever he stumbled upon an exceptionally delicious eatery, his immediate instinct was to think about bringing his close senior colleague, Japanese actor Yutaka Matsushige.
However, he admitted that these days, his mind often wanders to his former co-star, thinking,
“It would be so nice if Ayaka Miyoshi came along, she would absolutely love this.”
Aware that this casual admission could easily be misinterpreted by the media, Sung Si-kyung immediately drew a firm, unmistakable line regarding his emotional status.
Looking directly into the camera, he laughed off the speculation and stated clearly,
“I am absolutely not in love.”
He went on to describe the psychological embarrassment of having to film a formal clarification for his viewers, jokingly comparing the situation to a classic Korean idiom about “drinking kimchi soup first”- a phrase used to describe counting one’s chickens before they hatch or jumping the gun.
He expressed that while he finds Miyoshi to be an incredibly beautiful, lovely, and undeniably charming individual, there is strictly “nothing of a romantic nature between a man and a woman” occurring between them.
Consideration for Personal Boundaries and Elicited Public Responses
Beyond simply defending his own privacy, Sung Si-kyung utilized the broadcast to express a deep, protective concern for Ayaka Miyoshi’s professional standing and personal comfort.
He noted that his YouTube comment sections had become completely inundated with thousands of aggressive fan comments pleading for the two celebrities to officially begin dating in real life.
The veteran singer emphasized that Miyoshi is an independent professional who has her own carefully maintained public position, career trajectory, and personal boundaries to protect in her native Japanese entertainment industry.
He confessed to feeling an immense wave of caution and worry regarding how she might feel or how uncomfortable she might become if she or her management team were to log online and read through the endless barrage of speculative romantic commentary.
Following his heartfelt explanation, Sung Si-kyung intentionally and smoothly steered the conversation away from his love life and back toward the culinary experience, successfully defusing the heated atmosphere by focusing on the perfect pairing of Korean rice wine with his meal.
The public reaction to his direct statement has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising the singer for his emotional maturity, his gentlemanly consideration for his younger former co-star, and his ability to address delicate personal rumors with refreshing honesty and humor.
As the dating rumors subside, both stars are continuing to focus entirely on their highly successful individual careers. Sung Si-kyung is currently balancing a packed schedule that includes his brand concert series, hosting The Seasons – Sung Si-kyung’s Eardrum Boyfriend on KBS2, and prepping a highly anticipated upcoming music video.
Meanwhile, Ayaka Miyoshi- who achieved massive international acclaim for her standout role as An in the hit Netflix thriller series Alice in Borderland- is preparing for her highly publicized transition into the South Korean film market, having recently finalized her casting alongside actor Byun Yo-han in the highly anticipated crime thriller blockbuster film Tazza 4.
