While more uncommon, it is not unusual for idols to sometimes date fans. What might sound like a delusional fantasy has become a reality for some lucky fans, some even marrying the star they are a fan of.
Popular TV Personality Marries Fan 18 Years After First Meeting
Recently, an idol announced his marriage to a fan, surprising netizens.
In 2016, the Chinese survival show X-Fire, a collaborative effort between EE Media, Tencent Video, and SM Entertainment, formed the boy group X-NINE. X-NINE includes Zhao Zhan, who has been voted one of China’s most popular idols.
Also a member of the group is Zhao Lei who appeared on Produce Camp in 2019 and debuted as a member of R1SE.
On February 14, Zhao Lei shared a letter and photos to his Weibo account, surprisingly announcing his marriage.
“At this moment, I write this letter feeling grateful and anxious. All these years since debut, I have continuously been learning how to become the real me. For a majority of my 26 years, I have felt uncertain and insecure but still I am lucky. I want to thank all of you who have supported me, it’s your love that lets me walk through every uncertain moment.
This year, I want to let myself walk with more certainty. The regrets I haven’t completed these years, the secret words I haven’t said, the hard-to-continue stories, I want to calmly give them an answer. Whether it’s for you all who support me, or for the one I love, I want to assume this responsibility, and I want to be worthy of every piece of the most innocent love. Many people believe that marrying at 26 years old is too young, but for me it’s not early. My drifting has turned to dust and settled and my future has just begun.
Lastly, I want to thank all of you who have always been by me growing up. Every step we’ve taken together is deeply ingrained in the bottom of my heart. I will still continue to give my all for every stage, and to sing well the song that belongs to my life. I will return to my career with a more matured attitude, and use better works to repay everyone.
May everyone who believes in love eventually find bliss, may we all be able to be braver with love and move forward.”
— Zhao Lei
The images showed Zhao Lei and his bride posing together, while the letter explained his position.
Some internet sleuths were able to identify his bride as a former influencer know as QKO, who is considered part of the “first generation” of viral influencers.
QKO was also a very big fan of Zhao Lei in the past, encouraged voting for him while he was on X-Fire, and was known to follow his schedules, even going to the airport for his departures and arrivals. She once reportedly shared that she had met her boyfriend on a flight and exchanged information with him, which many now believe was Zhao Lei as she followed him.
These behaviors are often viewed as “stalker” or sasaeng fan activities, and considered invasions of idol’s privacy. QKO’s account is no longer active, and it appears that she and Zhao Lei began dating in 2016.
Despite the past, Zhao Lei appears to be happy with his new bride!
