DAY6's Dowoon Absent From MBC's 'I Live Alone' Lineup Amid Dating Rumors

Dowoon of K-pop band DAY6 was left off the cast list for the upcoming summer retreat episode of MBC's hit variety show "I Live Alone." His absence drew attention from viewers, coming weeks after he was tied to dating and marriage rumors.

In the June 26 episode of "I Live Alone," host Jun Hyun-moo handed out mock school notices for a summer retreat to the cast members in the studio, including Code Kunst, Kim Shin-young, MINHO, Koo Sung-hwan, and Kian84. The notice laid out the details of the "2026 Rainbow Summer Retreat."

The retreat is scheduled for June 22 at the Suwon Youth Hostel. The group will gather at MBC's Sangam headquarters and depart at 10:30 a.m., with a "random bibimbap" lunch on the menu.

Reading the notice, Koo Sung-hwan asked, "Are Kim Dae-ho and Kian84 bringing ingredients too?" recalling the disastrous lunchboxes from a previous sports day episode. Kian84 cut in, "Let's not invite Dae-ho." When asked if members could skip adding their assigned ingredients, Jun Hyun-moo insisted, "No, everything has to go in."

A talent show is also planned after dinner. Jun Hyun-moo teased that the prizes would be the show's biggest yet, calling it "a step up from sports day." Koo Sung-hwan said he was excited, adding, "It's been 30 years since my last retreat."

A preview at the end of the episode showed a large van marked "1st Rainbow Summer Retreat" pulling up with the full cast, including Koo Sung-hwan, Jun Hyun-moo, Lee Sun-min, Seo Bum-june, Kian84, Kim Dae-ho, Code Kunst, Park Ji Hyeon, MINHO, Joy, Park Kyung-hye, Bae Na Ra, and Kim Shin-young. But Dowoon, who has appeared on the show several times before, was nowhere in sight.

Last month, Dowoon was caught up in dating rumors with Yoo Ji-yoo that quickly escalated into marriage speculation. Online users pointed to what they called similar home interiors and matching items, including keyrings, in photos posted by the two. The rumors grew further with claims that the pair had been spotted meeting with a wedding planner. Dowoon's agency, JYP Entertainment, said it had "no comment" on the dating reports.

The rumors flared up again when a vlog Yoo Ji-yoo had posted eight months earlier resurfaced online. The video showed her visiting a Chinese restaurant for a meal. Some online users noted that the location had been used for a limited collaboration event marking DAY6's 10th debut anniversary, and used it to speculate about the two again.