One "like" from veteran actress Go Hyun Jung on Instagram has set off a frenzy of online controversy after fans saw her engagement with ALLDAY PROJECT Annie's Chanel photoshoot, uploaded by W Korea on September 11.
Among thousands of responses to the post, viewers were quick to recognize one in particular—Go Hyun Jung's.
The seemingly friendly gesture was notable not just because of the actress's high profile, but because of her past family relationship with Annie.
Go Hyun Jung was previously married to Shinsegae Group heir Jung Yong Jin, making her aunt (by marriage) of Annie—a daughter of Shinsegae president Jung Yoo Kyung and granddaughter of chairwoman Lee Myung Hee.
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"She got divorced in 2003, but that still made her Annie's aunt until at least the idol's toddler years," explained fans who know the family background.
Responses to Go's social media exchange immediately went off the rails, with some netizens interpreting between the lines.
One observer speculated, "Maybe this was her way of taking a subtle jab at Shinsegae. There were rumors the family opposed her marriage from the start."
But others were quick to come to the actress' and rookie idol's defense. One netizen replied, "I mean, does Go Hyun Jung have to treat the entire Shinsegae family like enemies? LOL... Why are people projecting entire storylines onto one divorce?"
Another commented, "If she saw Annie as a baby, of course she might feel something now seeing her all grown up."
Some felt the moment was in itself human, not newsworthy. "They used to be aunt and niece. If you come across a baby you once knew now active as a singer, you could feel happy for them," posted one.
"Annie's pictorial came out really well, wow," replied another.
In spite of the combination of sentimental and speculative posts, Go Hyun Jung later took down her "Like." Most think she was flooded with surprise.
Whether the brief interaction was nostalgic, supportive, or simply instinctive, it opened a rare window into how personal histories can still shape public narratives—even decades later.
