Jaehyun and his Doyoung

jaehyun wears his heart on his sleeve, and perhaps getting older and finishing military has made him braver (?) and more expressive of his love. now i can’t help but hope the days go by faster and dy finally finishes his enlistment, so we can see what their dynamic is like once they’re reunited again in 127.

Well said.

I think it's a combination of several factors.

First of all, staying an idol or having a big solo career is not Jaehyun's utmost priority. At least not at this stage (as a working adult he both has accumulated savings, a brandname, and a few professional options (modelling, acting)). There is less pressure. I think he worries less about any backlash from fans. He naturally matured over the years, now understand how to work with his emotions and difficulties he faces better.

It is smooth sailing for now after his comeback. SM green-lit the fancon, 127 didn't disband, the Prada deal is still his, he attract attention of more companies. Again, less stress, better feeling of security.

SM has changed owners and, in some part, the way they work with their artists. They allow their younger idols more artistic freedom, more say in their image (aespa girls are allowed to talk almost candidly on many topics during their lives). We can see it with all neos. Before enlistment Jaehyun already tested waters with his "I want to show more of myself" (the type of programmes he went to for promotion, how he behaved there). Fans didn't object. Thus it is safe to continue.

Jaehyun was always expressive. Even during the times of "we don't know each other".

Another couple in SM is Kai and D.O., and after they cameback from the military any pretence at avoiding each other has dissapeared (eventhough they have plenty of haters). I hope JaeDo will have their turn, heh.

Isn't "Timeless" supposed to be a song dedicated to fans, about them?

If JaeDo were officially as tight as TaeDo, this won't be remarkable. But Jaehyun is supposed to not be very close to Doyoung. This is that kind of contradiction that generally stays unnoticed. Yet in such moments of choice (do another pose to have as a spare to post on socmed, or not; associate oneself with Doyoung on a solo fancon (take attention from oneself, give it to him), or not), the choice gives answers.

Same thing with the photo with the JaeDo banner on TV uploaded to bubble. Yes, it was a good behind the scenes photo. Jae stood in a good pose, the title of the tour was on his back. Staff likes to take this kind of pictures for content. However, it wasn't posted on NCT channel or on Jae's IG later on. No, Jae posted it same day on his bubble. Of his own volition. With the banner. (And it's quite possible there were more pictures to choose from, same angle but a different image on the tv screen).

270626 - "Mono" in Bangkok. The director put on screen a banner with Doyoung and JaeDo. Jaehyun jokes that there are many pictures that he took with other members in the audience (JaeTen, for example). And later uploaded a photo of himself with the said banner on his Bubble. Additionally, he did the baby butt bread gesture again. How are Do-haters among valentines coping? Heh.

Caption (Thai): "I'm so jealous of Jaehyun for having such a cute partner". Jaehyun couldn't read, of course, but "Jaedo" on sides is a hint enough.

Shippers remembered another moment, when Jaehyun reacted to a JaeDo banner and made Do pose with him. Here is a video. Notice the difference between Jaehyun's behaviour with Do and with Woo, how later he stepped back from Woo to be closer with Do again.

While I was searching, I unexpectedly stumbled upon the Dallas Love Field yt shorts where Doyoung took photos with some swans. I think that’s probably what I was reminded of! Haha, guess I’m just rambling now, but those little connections are fun to think about.

I attended Doyoung's Door concert in SG, it was my first concert ever, with my first intern pay and I don't regret it, really enjoyed watching him sing live =)) yes come to SG if you have the chance!

Anon, I'm happy for you, but please don't add salt to my wound!!! Haha. Half of NCT is now in Thailand, and I lived there for 3 years, 1 in Bangkok even... I could have attended those concerts and fancons if I still remained there...

Singapore is on my bucket list of countries, so one day I will visit it for sure. Once I start earning more than 300 euro a month, lol.

In addition to swans, there were also Canada geese. It was unusual that Doyoung posted them on his IG (the bird is not considered particulary beautiful, it is agressive, and Doyoung is normally afraid of unpredictable animals). So it's my headcanon the geese are tied to Jae as well (there is an association), he pursued and took a selca with them first.

It's a trigger topic. A dream balloon popped. Both for fans who think he is straight and for shippers. Plus there are also those who like the tabloid kind of gossip. I saw a comment today from a fan how Do's dates with his mom are still sus, that they weren't fooled by his words. Be assured, there will be fans who will think the cousin explanation is a lie, as well.

Heh, good point about the naked Jaehyun. I saw only one post bringing attention to it with caption "he is confident in his body, as he should". Jaehyun is famous for preferring to cover up himself. It's rare when SM manages to persuade him to show abs for fanservice.

Looking at JNJM fancon tour, them getting new shows added, splitting into mini-units it's a solid business plan. Not only members are occupied while others pursue solo/promote in non-Korea (Renjun and Chenle in China, here), they also can use smaller venues (there is a long queue for the big ones).

Ten's solo appearences on shows continue to be covered by SM. I wonder why. Wendy also participates in SMClassics tour. So SM supports or collaborate with ex-artists who stay in their original groups then.

Also, I don't see how this could be a relationship photo. Do people really think Jaehyun went on a personal trip and then hired someone to take long distance photos of him and his girlfriend to post on instagram? That makes no sense at all.

And releasing it in the morning, at the same time he was heading to the airport for his fancon in Thailand and would have lots of photos taken of him while this was hitting the internet. This is clearly a clever way to gather buzz. I'd bet money this is an MV, maybe for 99 degrees.

Another anon

jaehyun shedding his gf stan probably

Anon 3

It's confirmed that the girl is his cousin.

Anon 4

I find the situation a little funny. Just because she’s a woman fans automatically assume it’s his gf. Maybe because she’s in a bikini? If this was a shirtless man instead It would be much different lol. Oh well. Waiting for the follow-up clarification post now 🤭

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Indeed, af first his childhood friend, then Jaehyun himself on IG clarified that it was a cousin. Saw people speculating that the one who studies fashion in Paris.

And yes, the reaction was a reminder why in k-pop nowadays two sexes live separated. Artists from the same agency barely interact, no girls in bg's MVs (the rule isn't applied in reverse, though).