TWICE member Tzuyu's mother has personally stepped in to address dating rumors surrounding her daughter, saying the man at the center of the online speculation is simply a longtime friend. Huang Yen-ling, Tzuyu's mother, addressed the rumors spreading online in a social media post Tuesday. "There have been several rumors about Tzuyu and a male acquaintance," she said. "I have also known this friend for a long time, so I would like to say a few words." According to Huang, Tzuyu and the man have been friends for years. "He is a kind and sincere person who has always supported and helped Tzuyu," she said. Huang pushed back against attempts to interpret their interactions as evidence of a romantic relationship, saying ordinary activities between friends should not fuel speculation. "It is perfectly natural for friends to eat together, go out, talk and look out for each other," she said. "I don't think people should overinterpret things or make careless assumptions based on fragments of information." She also asked people not to criticize or attack anyone based on unverified rumors. "I hope the u