TWICE Chaeyoung & Zion.T Dating 2026: Relationship Timeline & History

Son Chaeyoung holds a distinct position within TWICE when it comes to relationships. She is one of only three members with a confirmed partnership on record, and the only one currently in an active confirmed relationship.

As of 2026, Chaeyoung is confirmed to be dating R&B singer-songwriter Zion.T. JYP Entertainment and The Black Label confirmed the relationship on April 5, 2024. The couple was spotted together on a private trip to Jeju Island as recently as July 2025 with no breakup reports from either agency since.

This article covers the full timeline of her relationship with Zion.T, addresses the 2020 tattoo artist rumour that preceded it, and gives the complete verified picture of her personal life heading into 2026.

Chaeyoung is currently part of TWICE’s THIS IS FOR World Tour 2026, having returned to activity following a temporary halt due to a medical diagnosis in late 2025.

Chaeyoung Boyfriend Zion. T: Confirmed Relationship in Full

Zion.T is one of South Korea’s most respected independent artists. Born in 1989, he built his reputation through a distinctive fusion of R&B, soul, and hip-hop, releasing critically acclaimed projects under The Black Label, a label within the HYBE group structure. His artistic identity — thoughtful, unconventional, creatively free — sits comfortably alongside what Chaeyoung has described as her preference in a partner: someone slim, artistic, and free-spirited in personality.

The two were introduced through a mutual acquaintance, with some reports suggesting fellow artist Jeon Somi may have played a connecting role given her close friendships with both. Their early interactions were professional, senior and junior colleagues in an industry where such introductions are common. Over several months that relationship shifted into something personal.

Korean outlet Sway first reported the relationship in April 2024, stating the couple had been together for approximately six months, placing the start of their relationship around October 2023. Both JYP Entertainment and The Black Label confirmed the news on April 5, 2024. JYP’s statement described the two as meeting each other with good feelings and supporting one another. It was a straightforward dual agency confirmation of the kind that leaves no ambiguity in the public record.

How the Relationship Has Developed Since Confirmation

Since going public in April 2024, Chaeyoung and Zion.T have maintained a consistently low-profile approach to their relationship. They have been spotted on casual dates in the Hannam-dong and Yeonhui-dong neighbourhoods of Seoul, areas known for their quiet streets, independent galleries, and artistic community. The choice of locations reflects both their personalities they are not a couple that seeks visibility.

Zion.T followed Chaeyoung on Instagram the day after the relationship was confirmed, a small public gesture that many fans noted as a quiet acknowledgement of their new public status. It generated significant social media activity without requiring any further statement from either side.

The most recent public sighting came in July 2025, when private photographs from a trip to Jeju Island circulated online. The images showed the couple enjoying quiet moments by the sea in matching outfits. The photographs confirmed the relationship remained active more than a year after the initial announcement. Neither agency issued a comment in response to the sighting, which is consistent with their approach throughout the relationship.

The 10-Year Age Gap and Public Reception

The age difference between Chaeyoung and Zion.T generated discussion within ONCE and broader K-pop communities following the confirmation. Chaeyoung was born in April 1999. Zion.T was born in 1989. The ten-year gap places them in significantly different life stages, which prompted some fan debate about compatibility.

The discussion largely settled once fans considered the context. Chaeyoung has spoken openly about valuing artistic connection and creative compatibility over conventional markers of compatibility. Zion.T’s profile within the Korean music industry is that of a respected, established artist rather than a mainstream celebrity, which aligns with the kind of personal space and low-key existence Chaeyoung has consistently said she values. The relationship has continued without public friction for over a year since confirmation, which speaks to its stability regardless of the age gap.

Chaeyoung’s 2025 Health Situation and Its Impact on Tour Activity

In November 2025, JYP Entertainment announced that Chaeyoung had been diagnosed with vasovagal syncope. The condition involves temporary loss of consciousness triggered by a sudden drop in blood pressure, often caused by specific physical or emotional stimuli. The agency confirmed she would temporarily halt some activities to allow for recovery and management of the condition.

The diagnosis affected her participation in some THIS IS FOR World Tour dates. It had no connection to her relationship with Zion.T. Fans should be aware that health-related search results for Chaeyoung in late 2025 and early 2026 relate to this medical situation rather than any personal life development.

The Tattoo Artist Rumour: What Actually Happened in 2020

Before Zion.T, the most significant rumour in Chaeyoung’s personal history involved a tattoo artist in November 2020. Understanding it clearly matters because the incident remains in search results and is sometimes mischaracterised.

Netizens circulated photographs purporting to show Chaeyoung and a tattoo artist named Jung Sung-hyun, known professionally as Chimhwasa, shopping together at a grocery store. Additional evidence cited by fans included what were described as matching couple rings and a drawing by the artist of a woman with a facial mole placement similar to Chaeyoung’s. Chimhwasa was nine years her senior at the time.

JYP Entertainment’s response was notably different from how the label handles confirmed relationship news. Rather than confirming or issuing a straightforward denial, the agency stated it had no official position on the matter and asked for understanding. That non-committal language, which differs from the direct denials the label issues when claims are entirely false, fuelled ongoing speculation without ever resolving it.

Chimhwasa deleted his social media accounts shortly after the rumour surfaced. No further information emerged from either side. The relationship was never confirmed, and it was never definitively denied. It sits in an officially unresolved category in Chaeyoung’s history. Her confirmed relationship with Zion.T beginning in late 2023 is the first and only officially acknowledged partnership in her career.

Minor Fan Speculations and the Jungkook Ship

Beyond the tattoo artist situation, Chaeyoung has been linked to other idols through the standard fan shipping process. BTS’s Jungkook appears most frequently in these connections, based primarily on matching clothing items and accessories observed across separate social media posts. NCT’s Mark has also appeared in minor fan speculation through similar channels.

Neither JYP Entertainment nor the respective agencies of any of these artists have ever addressed these claims. They sit firmly in the fan shipping category rather than credible reporting. The Zion.T relationship, fully confirmed by both agencies, represents the complete verified record of Chaeyoung’s romantic history.

What Chaeyoung Is Focused On in 2026

Chaeyoung enters 2026 managing her health recovery alongside one of TWICE’s most demanding touring schedules. Her solo track “LIL FANTASY” features during the THIS IS FOR tour’s solo stage section, showcasing her distinct artistic voice as a rapper and songwriter within the group.

She is one of three TWICE members alongside Jihyo and Momo with a confirmed relationship in their public record. Among those three, she is the only one currently in an active confirmed partnership heading into 2026. Fans attending upcoming shows can find the complete THIS IS FOR World Tour setlist with Chaeyoung’s solo stage and the full four-act show structure covered in detail.

FAQs

Is TWICE Chaeyoung still dating Zion.T in 2026?

Yes. As of 2026, Chaeyoung and Zion.T remain in a confirmed relationship. Both agencies confirmed their partnership in April 2024. The couple was spotted together in Jeju Island in July 2025. Neither agency has issued a breakup statement at any point.

When did Chaeyoung and Zion.T start dating?

They began dating around October 2023, approximately six months before the public confirmation in April 2024. Both agencies confirmed the relationship after Korean outlet Sway first reported it.

How did Chaeyoung and Zion.T meet?

They were introduced through a mutual acquaintance. Some reports suggest Jeon Somi may have connected them given her close friendships with both artists. They transitioned from professional colleagues to a romantic couple over several months of getting to know each other.

What is the age gap between Chaeyoung and Zion.T?

There is a ten-year age gap. Chaeyoung was born in April 1999 and Zion.T was born in 1989. The gap generated fan discussion following the confirmation but has not affected the relationship’s stability in public record.

Did Chaeyoung date a tattoo artist?

The relationship was never confirmed. In November 2020, rumours linked her to tattoo artist Jung Sung-hyun. JYP Entertainment issued a neutral non-committal statement rather than a denial. The artist deleted his social media and no further information emerged. The situation remains officially unresolved.

Why did Chaeyoung temporarily halt activities in 2025?

In November 2025, Chaeyoung was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, a condition involving temporary loss of consciousness due to blood pressure changes. JYP Entertainment confirmed a temporary activity pause for recovery. The diagnosis was entirely unrelated to her relationship with Zion.T.