Jungkook and Winter Dating Rumors Ignite Fan Backlash Against aespa Star
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A wave of criticism has erupted online directed at aespa’s Winter following the proliferation of dating rumors linking her to BTS’s Jungkook. The speculation, which began in early December and intensified throughout the summer of 2025, centers around alleged matching tattoos and has sparked a fierce debate among fans of both groups.
The Rumor Mill and Initial Response
The rumors surrounding Jungkook and Winter first gained traction earlier in 2025, but exploded in prominence earlier this month when fans pointed to a matching tattoo design appearing on both idols. Both HYBE Corporation, representing BTS, and SM Entertainment, representing aespa, initially stated they would investigate the claims, but have since remained silent, fueling further speculation. This lack of official confirmation or denial has reportedly led to division within the fanbases.
Winter’s Bubble Message Sparks Outrage
The controversy took a new turn when Winter posted her first message on the fan communication app Bubble on December 13th, since the dating rumors surfaced. While intended as a friendly gesture, expressing concern for fans during the cold Korean weather – “Y/N ! It’s going to be cold this weekend, so be careful not to catch a cold! Since it snowed, watch your step on the roads!” – the message was met with harsh criticism from many Korean fans, known as MYs.
Many fans accused Winter of being dismissive and insensitive to the ongoing speculation. “I’m really embarrassed. Are you Min-jeong, who lives in a different worldview than me? You’re driving a nail into my girls’ hearts and then you come back 10 days later and tell me about the weather and what you’re eating and then just move on? Oh, I don’t understand,” one fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on December 13, 2025.
Another fan expressed similar frustration, stating, “I’m genuinely baffled. Is Minjeong living in a completely different universe from me? You drove a nail straight into MYs’ hearts, then come back after just 10 days, casually dropping a couple of messages about the weather and what you ate, and expect everyone to just move on? Yeah, I don’t get it at all.”
The discontent continued with posts like, “Minjeong… if you’re going to send Bubble messages like that, you might as well not send them at all. Just rest too. Seriously, stop going on about the damn weather it’s not even remotely something I give a fck about. Every time I see your Bubble, my blood pressure shoots up and I feel like I’m going to lose it, for fck’s sake,” and “Hey, seriously, don’t do this. You’re draining whatever little affection I had left. Minjeong, please.” One fan even posted with the hashtag #winterbubble, stating, “Hey, really, don’t do this, everything you barely have will be taken away, Minjeong, please.”
A Divided Fandom
While Korean fans have largely expressed disappointment and anger towards Winter, international fans have offered a different perspective. Many are defending the aespa member and criticizing the intensity of the backlash from her Korean fanbase as excessive. This division highlights the complex dynamics within K-pop fandoms and the pressures faced by idols navigating public scrutiny.
The situation remains fluid, with no official statement from either HYBE or SM Entertainment. As the rumors continue to circulate, the response from fans underscores the intense emotional investment and expectations surrounding their favorite idols.
