Synopsis: The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene. This week, #PopVultures host Jan Lee welcomes podcast producer Penelope Lee to talk and air their feelings about idols dating! Did you know that South Korean tabloid Dispatch usually releases a report on the first day of the new year that exposes a celebrity romance? Celebrity couples who confirmed they were dating after the Dispatch New Year report includes Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, Exo's Kai and Blackpink's Jennie and Lee Seung-gi and Girls Generation's Yoona.  Using that as a jumping-off point, Penelope and Jan - who are both long-time fangirls of different groups like BTS, Arashi and One Direction - discuss the taboo around dating for idols, how idols are marketed, the consequences that can arise from a dating or marriage scandal and their own thoughts on the issues. Highlights (tap/click above): 02:06 Are there dating bans for idols? Why aren't idols allowed to date? And how do the Hollywood and Asian entertainment industries differ on this front? 10:45 How pop idols are different from actors or singers 13:36 Consequences and case studies on idols who have been caught dating with examples from Super Junior's Heechul and Twice's Momo, AKB48's Minami Minegishi and pop singers Hyuna and Dawn 30:57 Final thoughts Produced by Jan Lee ([email protected]) and Penelope Lee Edited by: Penelope Lee & Hadyu Rahim Subscribe to #PopVultures Podcast series and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju47  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's stories: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.