April 1 is known for pranks and falsehoods, so entertainment news that breaks that day is often met with extra skepticism. Still, a number of major celebrity stories reported on April Fools’ Day — or immediately after — prompted “No way” reactions before being confirmed as true.
One of the best-known cases involved Hong Kong star Leslie Cheung, who died on April 1, 2003, at a hotel in Hong Kong. The news was so sudden and shocking — and fell on April Fools’ Day — that some fans initially questioned whether it was a hoax. His death is still remembered each year as news that felt unbelievable.
Dating reports can also seem less believable when they surface on April 1. When reports emerged on April 1, 2016, that EXO’s Kai and f(x)’s Krystal were dating, some people responded by asking whether it was an April Fools’ Day stunt. SM Entertainment soon confirmed the relationship, saying the two “had been friends and recently began to develop feelings for each other.”
On April 1, 2023, news broke that actors Lim Ji-yeon and Lee Do-hyun — who drew attention for the Netflix series “The Glory” — were dating. Their agencies confirmed it the same day, saying, “The two are cautiously getting to know each other with good feelings.” The timing on April Fools’ Day, along with the contrast to their on-screen relationship, made the news feel especially unexpected to the public.
There was also heartbreaking news immediately after April Fools’ Day. Turtleman, the leader of the group Turtles, died suddenly on April 2, 2008. He was 38. As word spread the day after April 1, fans and online users responded by saying they hoped it was not true.
Because April 1 is associated with jokes, news reported that day — or right after — can draw sharper disbelief and, when confirmed, a deeper shock. Cheung’s death, the Kai-Krystal dating report, the Lim-Lee relationship and Turtleman’s sudden death are among the entertainment stories that lingered longer in public memory because of when they were reported.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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