K-Pop fans have been buzzing with excitement and, more recently, concern over beloved former EXO member Tao (also known as Huang Zitao) and the talented actress and former SM Entertainment trainee, Xu Yiyang. The couple’s journey has been a public one, filled with moments shared with their dedicated fanbase.
A K-Pop Fairy Tale Beginning
In 2024, former EXO member Tao (also known as Huang Zitao) and former SM Entertainment trainee and actress Xu Yiyang got married. Their union brought joy to many who have followed their individual careers and blossoming relationship. In 2025, the couple shared details of their official wedding with fans and continued to post content with each other for fans to enjoy. These glimpses into their married life were warmly received, showcasing their happiness and connection, further solidifying their status as a beloved K-Pop power couple.
Viral Clip Sparks Heated Debate
However, a viral clip of the couple has sparked major controversy, with netizens heavily divided on the nature of the video. The clip, which was captioned, was from the live stream and said that the two “slapped each other” during the broadcast, and it has gone viral with over 6.8 million views. This short, decontextualized snippet ignited a heated debate across social media platforms, drawing immediate and strong reactions from fans and critics alike, raising questions about what truly transpired.
The Initial Backlash and Fan Defense
#HuangZitao and #XuYiyang slapped each other during livestream #Cent pic.twitter.com/0bQa2gUnYj
— 瓜🍉 (@CentGossip_) August 9, 2026
Some netizens hit back at Tao’s actions, saying that a man shouldn’t hit a woman. This immediate wave of criticism highlighted the sensitivity surrounding such actions and the protective instincts of the K-Pop community towards idols, particularly women. The initial outrage quickly spread, fueling discussions about appropriate behavior and relationships in the public eye, with many expressing disappointment and concern.
to each their own but i would never ever tolerate a man raising his hand at me https://t.co/dV3SgXw98v
— jay (@tensorfied_) August 9, 2026
Girl leave him or leave us out of it 💔 on live is crazy https://t.co/w74j8zaDug
— zana (@cchuanverse) August 9, 2026
This is very weird. A man should never feel comfortable putting his hands on you idc https://t.co/KXkeiUoZ6x
— kaiza (@pinkshonour) August 9, 2026
Yet, netizens quickly defended the stars, posting the whole clip that they were actually playing a game, and it was Yiyang’s choice, not something forced upon her. They added that the clip out of context could cause serious damage. This swift defense from informed fans aimed to clarify the situation, emphasizing the importance of watching the full context before making judgments. The full video revealed a lighthearted game, a common element in many celebrity livestreams, where playful interactions are often misinterpreted when taken out of their complete setting.
Understanding Context in K-Pop Media
Y’all are falling for clip farms made by marketing accounts taking shit out of context to smear people. They were playing a game and this was yiyang’s idea btw you guys don’t know anything 💔 https://t.co/P23QfYPKqU pic.twitter.com/bMTVMpmnhR
— dolly🧸 (@lemonyasi) August 10, 2026
yall love using clips without the whole context
heres the reasoning… he’s playing a game with wife, and if you know them. you know this is how they are…
same man who made a whole menstrual pad company for his wife and women after she told him how uncomfortable her pads were… https://t.co/e31Z1RZS60
— 𝘨𝘦𝘰 / 𝘣𝘶𝘣𝘶 ☆〜（ゝ。∂）🍈 (@verdXcosmic) August 10, 2026
Tao x Yiyang were just playing a slap game for fun. y’all stop reaching & creating negative narratives out of nothing. smh! #ZTAO #HuangZitao https://t.co/pfWXXeCsDa pic.twitter.com/AkqIgYlfV8
— hztttao (@noviaini) August 10, 2026
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how easily a brief moment can be misconstrued in the age of viral clips and rapid information sharing, especially for public figures. Fans are now urging for a more nuanced approach, advocating for critical viewing and discouraging the spread of misleading content, highlighting the crucial role of full context in understanding celebrity interactions.
