#yunsang

It's a new year, so let's take a look at all our pairs and evaluate their current status in the rpf/shipper community. This is purely for fun and largely based on vibes.

(The State of the Ship Mid-Year 2025)

Hongjoong x Seonghwa ⬆️ (prev ⬆️)

2025 was a big year for Matz Nation, beginning at Lake Como and peaking again with "(My Wife) Seonghwa." Hongjoong clearly had enough diamonds, with more to spare. While they still sometimes missed the obvious ("Seonghwa, you look like the moon." "Huh?"), what's important are all small ways they showed up for each other: words of praise, quiet glances, fleeting touches, jealous gatekeeping, thoughtful gestures, and silent support. They are each others' biggest fans and fiercest champions.

This ship only goes one way!

Yunho x Mingi ⬆️ (prev ⬆️)

Something shifted in the second half of last year: Yunho was besotted, flirtatious, protective; Mingi was glowing, supportive, confident. They teased each other, danced together, sang together, laughed together, and visited hot springs together. As they pursued their own creative paths, their bond only grew stronger. It feels like they rediscovered the spirit of their youth, and committed to protecting it within each other.

"Only you." "Me too. Only you."

San x Wooyoung ⬆️ (prev ↔️)

Never bet against WooSan. Six months ago, I speculated that this ship was cooling off, only for them to hurl their big stupid love back in my face. San can't keep his eyes - or hands - off Wooyoung, and Wooyoung won't let San go a minute without teasing him or clinging to his arm. They bicker like breathing but get flustered over genuine praise; they play with each other in the middle of a performances like there's no one watching; Wooyoung is a main character in San's vlogs; San is all Wooyoung can see; they make each other laugh harder than anyone else; they are drawn to each other like magnets.

“Amicus Ad Aras. What more do I even need to say?”

Jongho x Yeosang ↔️ (prev ⬆️)

We had a really strong streak of JongSang content last year, peaking with their appearance on Ateez+. Jongho was charismatic, assertive, and honest in his feelings for Yeosang: "I just want to take care of him." Yeosang found safety, security, and surety with Jongho, who only ever wants to make him smile. When he's with Jongho, Yeosang lets us see more of his mischievous, sly, sweet self. They remain in a strong position going into 2026, but I would keep an eye on some other Yeosang ships making a play for official unit pair...

Yunho x San ⬆️ (prev ↔️)

Last round I said, "There's something cooking here. The fandom is paying attention. They're due for a surge," and I was absolutely right. YunSan are a formidable duo, keeping us entertained with their puppy x kitty antics. San remains weak to handsome men and Yunho clearly enjoys the attention. San can also be disarmingly chivalrous, in ways that clearly fluster Yunho. They are goofy and silly, and have tremendous chemistry. I'm buying more stock.

Wooyoung x Yeosang ↔️ (prev ⬆️)

No other pair released a song in honor of their ten-year anniversary as bffs, so that puts them pretty near the top of the rankings. They're holding steady for now, but I'd love to see some more WooSang content this year, more than just kisses, bites, and ass-grabs (though, to be clear, those are more than fine as well).

San x Yeosang ⬆️ (prev ⬇️)

SanSang lovers had the last laugh. As ever, San remains a complete simp for Yeosang, but Yeosang surprised us by taking more initiative to flirt with San and reciprocate his more overt gestures of affection. San was thrilled by the attention. We've had many sweet, soft moments between them. Just yesterday, San reminded atiny: Yeosang is mine. This ship ain't sinking anytime soon.

Mingi x Yeosang ⬆️ (prev ⬇️)

Back in August, the members speculated that Mingi and Yeosang were the least compatible. MinSang took that as a challenge and proved everyone wrong! We got dance challenges, clingy Mingi, go-karting dates, them finding each other adorable, and unseen moments of kindness and support.

There's just so much warmth and fondness between them: two slightly awkward but well-meaning humans, one brash, the other restrained; one earnest, the other artful. They've nurtured their fragile little bond and it's been a joy to watch it blossom.

Yunho x Seonghwa ⬆️ (prev ⬇️)

Like clockwork, as whispers of the new album began to travel across tinytown, so did YunHwa revive their partnership as KQ's busiest and most inventive short-form content creators. Remember where you were when the Chanel dance challenge hit the dash? I wrote about what makes their fan-service so appealing: Together, they create these little worlds of intrigue, subversion, provocation, and delight. We'll likely see more reels from them in the coming months, and we'll be graced with more emotional moments from the tour when they harmonize on NTHAAH. They don't do a great deal pair content aside from that (except for the coffee trucks), but what they provide us is more than enough to keep this ship afloat until our midyear review.

Hongjoong x Wooyoung ⬆️ (prev ⬆️)

Topaz sparkled this past year, demanding our attention with their prickly, flirtatious chemistry. Wooyoung was on the hunt for Hongjoong's flesh in any way he could get it: biting (and biting again), kissing, clinging, or nuzzling. And let's not forget Hongjoong was also very handsy! Meanwhile, our minds exploded with their duet of Hala Hala at the KGMAs and Hongjoong was so proud to watch Wooyoung soar to incredible new heights in music and fashion. That alone would've been more than enough, but then...BOOM!

Mingi x Hongjoong ↔️ (prev ⬆️)

Despite fewer interactions in the back half of 2025, this ship remains so compelling. Part of it is just how pleasing they look next to each other, or the way Mingi wordlessly submits to Hongjoong's attentions in whatever form they take. There's also the way they continue highlight and support each other's projects, and all the ways they've worked to understand each other over the years. I'm anticipating a very strong showing for them in 2026.

San x Mingi ⬆️ (prev ⬆️)

My SanGi heart rejoiced to see these two back to their silly, playful antics! Of course we know they're good friends and share a dorm, but there's something particularly lovely about the way they interact, alternating between sweetness and goofiness. Plus, their visuals are insane.

Seonghwa x Mingi ⬆️ (prev ↔️)

My favorite rare pair...but is it so rare anymore??! They traveled to Okinawa together, Seonghwa visited Mingi's studio, Mingi gave Seonghwa pelvis lessons, they left teasing/flirty comments on each other's instagrams, and we got some prime MinHwa dance reels. It's not too late to invest in them, their stock is only going up!

San x Seonghwa ↔️ (prev ⬆️)

Yes, I know, their relationship is very brotherly, but we are here for shipping reasons! Perhaps more than any other pair, SanHwa has given us the most content this past year, including variety show appearances, Seonghwa's cameos on San's trivial log, hotel lives, and shenanigans for the logbooks. Where one is found, the other isn't far away. They are my darling duo. I'd like to see them kiss.

San x Jongho ↔️ (prev ⬆️)

I keep thinking of that moment at Music Bank Lisbon where Jongho was singing alone and San watched him with the most besotted look on his face. THAT'S LOVE, BABY!! As much as Jongho pretends to protest, San is his favorite hyung and Jongho is San's beloved maknae. They turn to each other for company, comfort, praise, and support. If we got another duet from them this year, I'd reach peak JongSan madness.

Yunho x Wooyoung ↔️ (prev ↔️)

YunWoo is holding steady, with no real gains nor decline. The pepero game remains one of the most important moments in the canon of yaoiteez, but since then we've received sporadic updates from the masters of fan service. Yet, the thing about YunWoo is while we might not have much in the way of quantity, the quality of their fan service remains top notch:

Wooyoung x Mingi ⬆️ (prev ↔️)

For all that we don't get too much WooGi these days, their interactions are always so satisfying. Wooyoung's impish nature flourishes with Mingi's willingness to let himself be manhandled, prodded, teased, and baited. Just when you think it's gone too far, Wooyoung gracefully pivots to sweetness. It's even better when Mingi is the one who initiates something, and it's usually cuddles.

Jongho x Mingi ⬇️ (prev ↔️)

Unfortunately, we're seeing some decline for this pair. While the dinner date saga came and went, Mingi ended the year with a bittersweet wish for Jongho: "Jongho-ya, the makdoonie who only likes Sanie - let's get even closer next year. I love you." They are often so delightful together, from the way Jongho acts like the mature hyung in the face of Mingi's charming clumsiness to the way Mingi continues to delight in pushing Jongho's buttons. Give me more!!

Yunho x Yeosang ⬇️ (prev ⬇️)

We haven't had much interaction from the Ekangmo Dorm lately, except for one very nice hotel room live a while back. I fear this tender little ship will sink if things continue as they are.

Hongjoong x Yunho ↔️ (prev ⬇️)

We don't get much from these two, but every so often they remind us that they have an irreparable bond forged from the experience of being the first two trainees. Hongjoong is a leader Yunho can look up to: "Whenever I find myself in need of realistic guidance, he gives it to me, and he's always been a source of strength for me - like a father figure." Familial metaphor aside, I continue to be drawn to the nostalgic, sturdy comfort these two emit when they're together. Also, Yunho is very, very invested in Matz and my dirty little brain enjoys the thought of Matz (together) enjoying him.

Hongjoong x San ↔️ (prev ↔️)

This pair was going to get a lower ranking until their recent performance of Rocky for "I Am Boxer" and we got this absolutely devastating moment. YES!! Give me big, strong San holding that mic for his captain. Give me those power dynamics!! I will eat it with a spoon! This visual will keep me going for months.

Jongho x Wooyoung ⬇️ (prev ↔️)

I'm honestly shocked to see this pair so low in the rankings, but I fear the winds have not flown in their favor in quite some time. Certainly there's no love lost, if you consider that they were embracing (or fighting?) on stage only a couple of days ago, but I'd really love to see more content with these two. They'd kill on a variety show this cb!

Hongjoong x Yeosang ↔️ (prev ↔️)

Just the sweetest little pair. Hongjoong treats Yeosang with so much gentleness, and Yeosang puts so much faith and trust into his leader. I WANT MORE!!

Seonghwa x Jongho ↔️ (prev ↔️)

We really don't see much from our oldest and youngest, but it makes their few interactions all the sweeter. We know that Jongho can be very cute when in the presence of his hyungs, and I imagine he had a lovely time at Hongjoong's LA villa swimming in the pool with Seonghwa. Alas, we'll never see the pics!

Seonghwa x Yeosang ↔️ (prev ↔️)

These two are such a delight, and it's a shame we start the year at such a deficit. They were a great pair to watch make the rounds during Lemon Drop promo, with Yeosang's sly charm working well with Seonghwa's polished grace. Give me more SeongSang in 2026!!

Hongjoong x Jongho ↔️ (prev ⬇️)

We really had a renaissance of HongHo content last year, from Moving Voices to their cheeky interactions during Lemon Drop promo, but all that fizzled out towards the end of the year. Since Jongho worked on his solo with a different set of producers, we unfortunately missed seeing them in the studio together. I hope this year brings us more of our leader x maknae.

Yunho x Jongho ↔️ (prev ↔️)

We continue to feast on crumbs. I'm not ready to give up on them.

yeosang: yeah was like that. it was so GROSS, I kept seeing eyes EVERYWHERE on something, I was worried there was something wrong with me. I wonder what it means-

yunho: