Has Kim Jong Kook fallen in love with Hong Jin Young? Actor's niece Soya reveals

South Korean singer Soya has opened up about her celebrity uncle, Kim Jong Kook's love life. The 42-year-old artist's love line with Hong Jin Young on Running Man had sparked rumours that they are dating. 

During an interview with BNT International, Soya revealed how their family reacted to the relationship reports. She said: "People around me ask if they're really dating, but I don't really know that much. My uncle is very manly and not expressive, so I personally think that he'll match well with someone who's bright and affectionate."

Meanwhile, during a broadcast of Kim Seung Woo and Jang Hang Joon's Mister Radio, Jong Kook was asked if he has any intentions of actually dating Hong Jin Young. He replied: "A lot of people are taking interest and asking, but that doesn't mean it's going to happen right now."

"To be honest, Hong Jin Young is a bright person with a very good personality. She's very pretty, and I like her. However, she's the kind of person who's good to everyone. That's why a lot of people misunderstand. There was a love line, so she tried her best to match with me," he added.

Adding on, on SBS's My Ugly Duckling, Jong Kook gushed about Jin Young. He shared: "Jin Young is great. She's smart, and I've heard that she's well-educated."

"It'd be nice [for my girlfriend] to have a lot of aegyo, since I don't. Jin Young might be a little excessive, though," Kook said.

When asked to pick his ideal type out of the women currently appearing on Running Man - Kang Han Na, Lee Da Hee, Song Ji Hyo, Hong Jin Young, and Jun So Min, he answered: "Hong Jin Young."

interestingly, on KBS 2TV's Happy Together 3, the show host Yoo Jae Suk asked Hong Jin Young to pick between Park Soo Hong and Kim Jong Kook. She replied: "I pick Kim Jong Kook. I've received threatening letters from international fans so I don't want to mention him but Kim Jong Kook is a good, nice person. He's a comfortable oppa to me."