I feel like even I he said that, the redhead wouldn't even car.Considering he doesn't care if Ryeo gets into a scandal and his group reputation gets ruined.
yepp ^
He can't say he is in a relationship outside his social circle. What if it leaks, you know how fans sometimes react when their "idols" aren't single anymore.
Although red hair is more or less his friend, you can see sometimes that that he isn't totally comfortable around him. And I think that he didn't confess to him (don't know exactly, correct me if I'm wrong)
I hate that all this would be avoided if ryeo just told him he was in a relationship. He didnt even have to say who just tell him that he was in one. Plots based on miscommunication that are so easily avoided are such a pet peeve (〜￣△￣)〜