On the morning of June 30 KST, one exclusive media outlet reported that MAMAMOO member Hwa Sa was in a relationship with a non-celebrity businessman who is 12-years older. The report further claimed that the two have been dating for 5-years, and that Hwa Sa was the first to "actively pursue" the relationship. 

Since the report, many news outlets have attempted to reach Hwa Sa's agency, RBW, for comments. However, the only comment the agency could give was, "Confirming." 

Previously on June 27, RBW revealed that Hwa Sa has decided to not renew her contract, and as a result, the company would be wrapping up its management duties for Hwa Sa at the end of June. Then, on the last day of June (June 30 KST), news of Hwa Sa's alleged relationship with a non-celebrity made major news headlines. Coincidence?

Now, many netizens are suspecting that without representation from RBW to take more direct action in response to media outlet reports, and her next contract with a new management not yet finalized, Hwa Sa was more or less left "unprotected" from such private, insider information becoming publicized. 

Observers commented,

"If RBW kept this from getting out for 5 years, they surprisingly did a good job as an idol management company."

"If they've been dating for 5 years, most people who are close to them would know. Guess the company did a good job of keeping it quiet until now."

"As soon as the company pulls out from management activities, the reporters struck."

"I mean if it's been 5 years, I bet there's hardly a reporter out there who didn't know..."

"It's hitting me now what an important job the company actually has... It has to keep an eye on the artists' private lives for good reasons."

"It's actually more surprising that not many people who weren't insiders knew about it kekekekeke. Maybe that company did do some things right after all."

"I just hope this isn't reason for her new management to say, 'Let's cut back on the contract fee'." 

"Where Hwa Sa is right now, I don't think this will affect her much. She has such a strong image as an artist. But it's true that if the news had gone public before, it could have had consequences for MAMAMOO."