ATEEZ’s Hongjoong: Sad Songs, a Fall in Munich, and Celine—The Plot Thickens

As news of Wooyoung and Sparkling’s Celine dating continues to shock fans, a new wave of speculation has emerged about Hongjoong’s connection to Celine—and the breadcrumbs he may have left behind through his music and actions.

Earlier this year, KQ Entertainment confirmed that Hongjoong and Celine were in a “talking stage,” though they denied it ever developed into a relationship. However, fans are piecing together a string of coincidences that suggest Hongjoong may still be reeling from the situation—especially after his recent cover of Back Number’s “Christmas Song”, a melancholic track about longing and unrequited love.

And that’s not all: fresh rumors have surfaced about Hongjoong meeting Celine’s family in Munich this fall, raising questions about how serious their “talking stage” really was.

Hongjoong’s Back Number Cover: A Cry for Closure?

Fans were already analyzing Hongjoong’s musical projects this year, which many felt leaned heavier into sad and emotional territory. But his recent cover of Back Number’s “Christmas Song” has hit differently, given the context of the Wooyoung-Celine dating news.

The song, a Japanese ballad about missed chances and bittersweet love, feels eerily relevant to Hongjoong’s rumored situation. Adding to the speculation, fans are pointing out that Celine has previously mentioned wanting to take her family on a trip to Japan by the end of the year—a detail that aligns too well with the themes of the cover.

One fan commented, “The lyrics literally scream ‘I miss you.’ Hongjoong doesn’t pick songs randomly. He’s clearly pouring his feelings into this.” Another added, “Celine said she wanted to go to Japan, and now Hongjoong is singing about longing during Christmas? This feels like a love letter she’ll never read.”

Some fans believe the cover was Hongjoong’s way of processing the situation, with one writing, “He doesn’t need to explain anything. He’s letting his music tell the story, and it’s heartbreaking.”

Fall in Munich: Did Hongjoong Meet Celine’s Family?

The plot thickens with rumors about a potential meeting between Hongjoong and Celine’s family (the Hwangs) in Munich this past fall.

Anonymous posts surfaced on online forums shortly after Hongjoong and Jongho were seen in Munich for a busking shoot. According to the posts, Hongjoong was spotted dining with Celine’s family at a local restaurant. While unconfirmed, the timing is raising eyebrows, as it would have been during the “talking stage” between Celine and Hongjoong.

One fan wrote, “Meeting her family doesn’t happen during a casual talking stage. Hongjoong was clearly serious about her.” Another speculated, “Imagine going from meeting her parents to hearing she’s dating your bandmate. The man deserves an award for holding it together.”

Others are questioning how much Wooyoung knew about the situation, with one fan asking, “If Wooyoung knew Hongjoong was meeting her family, does that mean he was already interested in Celine? This is MESSY.”

Fans React: ATEEZ’s Love Triangle Goes Viral

The revelation of Hongjoong’s potential heartbreak has sparked a whirlwind of mixed reactions online:

1. “Hongjoong meeting her family AND singing sad love songs? He’s the real victim in this mess. Someone check on him.” (+2,143, -112)

2. “Wooyoung might have won, but Hongjoong is turning his pain into art. That’s why he’s the leader.” (+1,895, -87)

3. “This man is out here writing the soundtrack to his own heartbreak while Wooyoung gets to be the fun one. Life is unfair.” (+1,620, -93)

4. “If this is how Hongjoong sounds when he’s heartbroken, maybe I should send him my breakup stories too.” (+1,405, -75)

        5. “Maybe Celine didn’t want someone as work-focused as Hongjoong. Wooyoung probably made her feel more relaxed.” (+1,150, -145)

6. “Meeting the family doesn’t mean she was committed. Celine made the right choice for her happiness.” (+1,025, -170)

7. “People need to stop making Wooyoung the villain. He just fell in love—it’s not his fault!” (+932, -110)

8. “This is giving major fanfic vibes. The leader, the best friend, the family meeting—how is this real life??” (+890, -98)

9. “Munich in the fall, Christmas in Japan, sad love songs—Hongjoong is living in a K-drama, and I need the next episode.” (+835, -89)

10. “This could be the messiest idol dating drama of the decade. Somebody needs to write a book.” (+745, -97)

What Does This Mean for ATEEZ?

With Hongjoong, Wooyoung, and Celine now linked in what fans are calling “the love triangle of the year,” attention is turning to how this might affect ATEEZ’s dynamics. Will Hongjoong and Wooyoung be able to work together seamlessly after this?

Fans are also bracing for the group’s upcoming promotions, wondering if Hongjoong’s rumored heartbreak will influence the tone of their new music. One fan wrote, “If Hongjoong’s sad songs are already this good, imagine the tracks we’ll get after this mess.”

Meanwhile, Wooyoung and Celine are facing public scrutiny, with some fans questioning if their relationship will last under the spotlight.

What’s your take? Was Hongjoong’s connection to Celine deeper than we thought? Did Wooyoung cross a line? And how do you think the Hwang family feels about all of this?